Session 3: Library Databases

What is a library database? Stores information Allows retrieval and use A starting place for research Shows statistics Provides general information

Stores information

Allows retrieval and use

A starting place for research

Shows statistics

Provides general information

Database Access From the VSU Library web site In the library In any computer lab on campus Off-Campus Access

From the VSU Library web site

In the library

In any computer lab on campus

Off-Campus Access

“Databases” Page on the Web Site Full-text databases Alphabetical Listing Listing by subject area General Reference Resources U. S. Colleges & Universities

Full-text databases

Alphabetical Listing

Listing by subject area

General Reference Resources

U. S. Colleges & Universities

InfoTrac Full-text periodical database

Full-text periodical database

Searching Basic search Subject search Publication search Advanced search

Basic search

Subject search

Publication search

Advanced search

Other Databases Similar to InfoTrac Search for information relevant to particular field of study Examples: Psychology=PsycInfo, PsycArticles Chemistry=SciFinder Scholar Literature=Gale Literature Resource Center

Similar to InfoTrac

Search for information relevant to particular field of study

Examples:

Psychology=PsycInfo, PsycArticles

Chemistry=SciFinder Scholar

Literature=Gale Literature Resource Center

Searching Most databases’ search interface is similar, only the page layout is different Example: Advanced search in EBSCO vs. Gale

Most databases’ search interface is similar, only the page layout is different

Example: Advanced search in EBSCO vs. Gale

Searching An Advanced Search screen in ProQuest and Project Muse ProQuest Project Muse

An Advanced Search screen in ProQuest and Project Muse

Searching If you can master searching in one database, you can use the same strategies in others Most advanced searches use the Boolean operators AND, OR or NOT Basic searches are made up of short phrases or words

If you can master searching in one database, you can use the same strategies in others

Most advanced searches use the Boolean operators AND, OR or NOT

Basic searches are made up of short phrases or words