This document summarizes a teach-in about specialized academic databases. It introduces Nicole Branch and the workshop's focus on practicing academic searches and exploring tools for assignments. Attendees will break into groups to teach each other about ProQuest Research Library, Academic Search Premier, Credo Reference, and CQ Researcher. The document provides guidance for developing search keywords and explains what databases are. It also reviews citation styles and how to incorporate citations into papers. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions about research challenges, library resources, and citations.

1. Information
Teach-In
Specialized Databases for Research
Image courtesy of earthsky.org
Background image courtesy of http://pictures.greengabbro.net/

2. Welcome
• Nicole Branch, MLIS
• Research Librarian
• Information Literacy Workshop Series
• Research Help Services

3. Today we will...
• Practice searching for academic
information
• Become familiar with specialized
databases
• Explore tools to complete college-level
assignments

4. Developing Keywords
• Broader
• Narrower
• Synonyms
• More academic

5. What is a database?
A set of data grouped together in
one location in (or accessible by) a
computer. A computerized database
has been likened to an electronic
filing cabinet of information arranged
for easy access or for a specific
purpose.
The American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, 3rd Ed.

12. Specialized Databases
• Cover specific types of materials
• Focus on particular
subjects/disciplines
• Provide information that has been
vetted

14. Database Teach In

15. Database Teach-In!
• ProQuest Research Library!
• Academic Search Premier!
• Credo Reference!
• CQ Researcher!
BREAK INTO FOUR GROUPS!
Each group will explore and then teach
the class about one of these fine
databases.

16. But wait...there’s more!
PREPARING YOUR LESSON!
Your group will prepare an information
teach-in about your database to the
class.
• Group think and pick one topic to practice searching.
• Explore your database using your group’s topic.
• Try all of the items in the “Peer Teach” section.
• Plan your presentation.
• Teach.

17. Pop Quiz!
• Which database is best for background information on your
subject?
• If you are looking for a pro/con argument on a current social
issue, which database would be the easiest to find one in?
• Where might you easily find articles from newspapers,
magazines, and scholarly journals?
• If you’d like to see if the Cushing Library has a book in print,
where do you start?

18. Citation Styles
• AMA
• APA
• Chicago/Turabian
• MLA
Hynes W. Contending with modernity: Catholic higher education in 20th-century America. Journal of Religion. January 1, 1998;78(1):123-125.
Hynes, W. (1998). Contending with modernity: Catholic higher education in 20th-century America. Journal of Religion, 78(1), 123-125.
Hynes, William J. 1998. "Contending with modernity: Catholic higher education in 20th-century America." Journal of Religion 78, no. 1: 123-125.
Hynes, William J. "Contending with modernity: Catholic higher education in 20th-century America." Journal of Religion 78.1 (1998): 123-125.

19. Two Sides of Citations
• Citations in-text (parenthetical citation).
• Bibliography: References (APA) or Works Cited (MLA).
• Every citation in-text must be in your bibliography; every item in
your bibliography must be cited in-text.

20. In-text Citations
• Reference ideas, summaries, and quotes from other works using
parentheses in the body of your paper. The basic format is (Last
name, Year) in APA and (Last Name Page) in MLA.
• If the author is named in the sentence, only include the year
(APA) or page (MLA) in parentheses.
• For direct quotes, include the page number (Last name, Year, p.
#) in APA. Always include the page in MLA.
• The period comes after the closed parentheses.

21. Example Quote

22. Example Quote
• Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “I believe that unarmed truth and
unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why
right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

23. Example Quote
APA Style In-text Citation
• Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “I believe that unarmed truth and
unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why
right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant”
(King & Washington, 1986, p. 91).

24. Example Quote
MLA Style In-text Citation
• Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “I believe that unarmed truth and
unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why
right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant”
(King and Washington 91).

25. Example Paraphrase

26. Example Paraphrase
• Martin Luther King, Jr. noted in his Nobel Prize acceptance
speech that social struggle can include setbacks.

27. Example Paraphrase
APA Style In-text Citation
• Martin Luther King, Jr. noted in his Nobel Prize acceptance
speech that social struggle can include setbacks (Nobel Media,
2012).

28. Example Paraphrase
MLA Style In-text Citation
• Martin Luther King, Jr. noted in his Nobel Prize acceptance
speech that social struggle can include setbacks (Nobel Media).

29. References
King, M. L., & Washington, J. M. (1986). A testament of hope:
The
essential writings of Martin Luther King,
Jr. San Francisco, California: Harper &
Row.
Nobel Media (2012). Martin Luther King: Nobel lecture.
Retrieved
February 13, 2012 from http://www.nobelprize.org

30. Works Cited
King, Martin L., and Washington, Jean M. (1986). A testament
of hope:
The essential writings of Martin Luther
King, Jr. San Francisco: Harper & Row,
1986. Print.
Nobel Media. “Martin Luther King: Nobel lecture.”
nobelprize.org,
2012. Web, 13 Feb 2012.

31. Purdue OWL

32. apastyle.org

33. Questions?
• Finding different kinds of materials
• Subject-specific databases
• Research challenges
• Library resources
• Citations

34. Closing Credits
• Go to: http://tinyurl.com/english1bsurvey
Nicole Branch, MLIS
Research Librarian
branch@hnu.edu
510.436.1060
Images courtesy of the
disorderofthings.wordpress.com; Wikimedia
Commons; earthsky.org; pictures.greengabbro.net;
and the Associated Press.