Transcript Using InfoTrac Databases

Using InfoTrac
Databases
Jackson Community College
Atkinson Library
Using InfoTrac
Databases
•InfoTrac is a group of
databases.
•The databases are subjector age-group specific.
•Many contain full-text articles.
Using InfoTrac
Databases
Click here
Begin
your use
of
InfoTrac
on the
Library’s
home
page.
Using InfoTrac
Databases
Using InfoTrac
Databases
There are 18
databases
from which to
choose.
Familiarize
yourself with
the databases
and their
purposes.
Using InfoTrac
Databases
…familiarize
yourself with
the databases
and their
purposes.
Using InfoTrac
Databases
If needed,
consult with a
Reference
Librarian for
guidance in
choosing
databases.
How to Start Searching a
Gale Group Database
How to Start Searching a
Gale Group Database
Each database listed in the menu has the following features:
•A database name.
•A date range.
•A short database description
•A link labeled Start searching
•An icon, or picture, just to the left of the database name and description.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Once you have
selected a database,
you should familiarize
yourself with the
features on the
screen.
You can mouse over
the items on the lefthand menu to get a
description of the
function of each link.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Here’s how
you can
search.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Subject Guide
Find articles by topic.
Search
Relevance Search
Find articles by matching words in titles,
citations, and abstracts, or in the entire text. The result list starts with the
best matches according to how and where the words occur in articles.
Keyword Search
Find articles by matching words in titles,
citations, and abstracts, or in the entire text. The result list runs from
newest to oldest.
Advanced Search
Find articles by using any of several indexes,
alone or in combination.
Journal Search Find all available articles in a specific issue of a
journal or newspaper. The results list displays in page number order.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Let’s do a
sample
Subject
Guide search
in the
Expanded
Academic
ASAP
database.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Enter your
topic in the
search box
and click on
Search.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
You can limit
your search
using the
options
available.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Examine
your
results
screen.
You have
several
options.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Entries are displayed in groups, and in alphabetical order within each
group. First are the entries in which your search word(s) comes first. Next
are the entries in which your word(s) comes second, and so on.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
To select a Subject Guide entry, click on its link:
A main Subject Guide entry leads to a list of citations
A subdivision link leads to another Subject Guide page with a list of specific aspects of
the main entry
A related subject link leads to another Subject Guide page with entries for the related
subject.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Other items relevant to your search may be displayed.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Once you have performed
a search, you will see a
Dictionary link in the lefthand column. To look up a
word on the screen,
highlight the word, then
click on the Dictionary
link.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Highlight the
word, then
click on the
Dictionary
link, and the
word will be
copied
automatically
to the
dictionary
entry spaces.
Then click on
OK.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
The
definition
closest to
the word
you chose
will be
displayed.
Using the results of a search.
Let’s examine the results of the sample
search.
Using the results of a search.
Results
are
displayed
with the
most
recent
listed
first.
Using the results of a search.
Each entry
includes a
link to an
article’s
citation
information,
or to full
text.
Using the results of a search.
The title of each
item links to the
content of the
full record. A
record might
include as little
as a brief
citation or as
much as full text
and graphics,
depending on
the collection
you're searching
and the rights
that have been
negotiated.
Using the results of a search.
At the left, near
the beginning of
the record, you'll
see a Mark box.
Click on the box
to save the
record for later
action.
Select the View
mark list link in
the left-hand
column any time
you want to see
what's on your
list.
Using the results of a search.
Text links will
take you to the
full text that is
available.
Not all articles
are lengthy;
check the word
count for the
lengths that
best suit your
need.
Using the results of a search.
When you
have located
an article that
meets your
need, you
have options
for working
with that
article.
You can
Print, Email,
or Retrieve a
PDF
(document
preformatted).
Using the results of a search.
Clicking on
Print
reformats
your item for
printing.
Use the Back
button to
return to the
unformatted
screen.
Using the results of a search.
Clicking on
Email or
Retrieve
allows you to
email the
text, or to
print the
article as a
PDF,
formatted as
in the
original
publication.
Searching a Gale Group
Database.
The Relevance
search is a
simple yet
effective way to
search for
articles. It looks
for words and
word variants,
alone and in
combination.
Relevance
search is most
effective when
two or more
search terms
are entered.
Searching a Gale Group
Database.
To conduct a Relevance search:
Click on the entry box
Enter one or more words
Click on Search
Boolean and logical operators (and, or, not) cannot be used in
Relevance Search. Instead, use the following special
characters to modify your search terms:
Character
Example of Use
Search Result
Double quotes
"civil war"
Match civil war exactly
Plus sign
+television
Matching articles must contain the word television
Minus sign
-headache
Matching articles must not contain the word headache
Searching a Gale Group
Database.
Here is a sample
Relevance search.
The terms are
formatted so that
they match “stem
cell” exactly but
DO NOT include
the term “research.”
Searching a Gale Group
Database.
Comparing these
results with those
from the previous
example, the
articles relating to
“Research” are now
absent from the
results list.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Here is a
sample
Keyword
search in
Expanded
Academic
ASAP.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Notice the size
of the results list.
By using
Keyword instead
of Subject
searching, the
number of hits is
greater but may
be less relevant.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Remember, a
Keyword search
will find articles
by matching
words in titles,
citations, and
abstracts, or in the
entire text.
a Subject search
will find articles
by topic.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Here is a sample
Advanced
search in
Expanded
Academic ASAP.
It will find
articles by using
any of several
indexes, alone or
in combination.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
This method of
searching offers
the most options
and the greatest
flexibility in
formatting your
search.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Choose Advanced search if you need to be very specific in
stating your research question.
Searcher wants only this
particular journal
Searcher wants only the
current year’s articles.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
You may
use
Journal
search to
search the
contents of
a magazine
or journal.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Information
about the
journal you
selected will
be
displayed.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
The most
recent year
available is
listed first.
Click on a
year or an
issue to
begin
searching.
Searching a Gale Group
Database
Your
choices are
listed at the
top, and the
available
contents are
listed in
page order.
Citing an article from
InfoTrac
InfoTrac citations are not official bibliographic citations.
To cite an article from InfoTrac, use a standard style for
notes and bibliography entries.
The following are examples of two styles for the way citations
from InfoTrac should appear in a bibliography or a works cited
page. Keep in mind that there are other styles. Also keep in mind
that double spacing and underlining rather than italics might both
be preferred.
Always check with your instructor for style preferences.
Citing an article from
InfoTrac
Whichever style is used, a citation from InfoTrac
will generally contain the following:
author (if applicable)
title
name of publication
publication information
pages or indication of length
source (InfoTrac)
Accession or article number if possible
download date
Citing an article from InfoTrac
Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
Davidson, Paul. "Globalization." Journal of Post Keynesian Economics
24 (2002): 475+.
College of Staten Island Lib., NY.15 Apr. 2002
Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale Group Databases.
<http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com>.
"Ethiopia." Map. Rand McNally Maps. 1996. Student Edition. Gale Group Databases. Roosevelt
High School Lib., Roosevelt, NY. 15 May 2002 <http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com>.
Mauch II, Thomas H. "Researchers Identify Alzheimer's Enzyme Inhibitor." Los Angeles Times
13 Apr. 2000: B2. InfoTrac Custom Newspapers. Gale Group Databases. Mililani Public Lib., HI. 18
Apr. 2000.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stroke: Hope Through Research.
Pamphlet. May 1999. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale Group Databases. Laney College Lib.,
Oakland, CA. 18 Sep. 2001 <http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com>.
"Pennsylvania State Agencies Finalize Plan to Monitor for West Nile Virus." PR Newswire 7 Apr.
2000. InfoTrac OneFile Gale Group Databases. College of San Mateo Lib., CA. 18 June 2000
<http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com>.
See http://www.mla.org for further information and updates.
Citing an article from InfoTrac
American Psychological Association (APA) Style
Battersby, John (1999, May 10). Nelson Mandela's Moral Legacy. The Christian Science
Monitor. Retrieved November 21, 2001, from InfoTrac Web InfoTrac OneFile CJ54593610.
Food Preservation (2000). The Columbia Encyclopedia (Edition 6) 13991. Retrieved
February 14, 2002, from InfoTrac Web General Reference Center Gold A69027426.
Gremillion, Kristen J. (1996). Early agricultural diet in North America: evidence from two
Kentucky rock shelters. American Antiquity, 61(3), 520. Retrieved March 17, 2002, from
InfoTrac Web Expanded Academic ASAP. A19027669.
See the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or
http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html for further information and updates.
Using Help files in
InfoTrac
Help files are
available from
every screen in
InfoTrac
The Help
information given
will be relevant to
the screen on
which you are
working.
From any Help
page, you can get
the complete Help
Index.
Using InfoTrac Databases
As you work with InfoTrac, please contact a
Reference Librarian if you would like
help or advice:
Atkinson Library, Walker Hall 1st floor
Call 517-796-8622
Email [email protected]
Fax 517-796-8623
They are there to help you!
Using InfoTrac
Databases
Atkinson Library