This document provides guidance for using library resources for an early childhood education class. It outlines several key library databases for finding peer-reviewed articles, including ERIC, Professional Development Collection, PsycInfo, and SocIndex. Tips are provided for effective searching, such as using keywords, Boolean operators, and subject headings. The document also reviews how to check if an article is peer-reviewed and recommends interlibrary loan for obtaining items not held in the local library collection. Students are encouraged to ask librarians for help searching or if they have any other questions.

1. Using the Library for ECED 5153 For Dr. Wasson’s Class

2. Library 101 We’re 24/7 ( http://library.uco.edu/ ) We’re here for you ( http://library.uco.edu/ask/ )

3. Google ain’t that great You don’t have to pay for articles Control Because you’re already paying for it, so use it! WHY USE THE LIBRARY?

4. Library Resources Library Databases (search for articles electronically) UCO Catalog (for locating materials in our library) Interlibrary Loan (search for and request items we don’t own)

5. Peer-reviewed vs. Popular Peer-reviewed Written by a scholar or a researcher Written for academia Full documentation Original or primary research Popular Written for general public Written by reporters or free-lance writers No or minimal documentation No original research- secondary literature

6. Searching tips Keywords Pick the most important words Find more keywords Online thesaurus, article record, etc., etc. There’s more than one database AND, OR, NOT The lovely Boolean operators ? (for catalog), * (for database) Truncate this “ ” Phrase searching (in Google and beyond)

7. Double-checking Peer-reviewed Ulrich’s Periodical Directory “Find Articles (Databases)” Gives information about serials Does NOT provide articles Use journal not article name when searching

8. Databases to consider: ERIC ERIC articles come from 980 education-related journals. ERIC digests are overviews written by ERIC staff on 2,200 topics; ERIC documents are non-journal resources such as lesson plans, technical reports, case studies, or conference presentations. Professional Development Collection Resources for professional educators. Sources include 530 journals of interest to educators, with full text from 440 of education titles. Over 160 full-text pamphlets, most from the U.S. Department of Education, also are available. Subject coverage includes education, counseling, administration and supervision, educational evaluation and assessment, and library and information science. PsycInfo Psychology, mental health, addictions and treatment, therapies, experiments, case studies, pharmacology, physiology, psychiatric nursing, linguistics, social work. PsycInfo also provides links to PsycArticles, which contain full text articles from all publications of the American Psychological Association. SocIndex SocIndex contains full text for 235 core journals dating back to 1895, and 72 priority coverage journals. This database also includes full text for 545 books and monographs, and full text for 6,601 conference papers. SocIndex covers all subjects in the social sciences, including sociology, anthropology, cultural issues, public policy and administration, social planning, community development, and behavioral studies.

9. When searching the catalog: Drop the drop-down box to “Boolean” In order to use your “”s, ?s, and ANDs The catalog does not search articles The databases search for articles ;) Utilize the “Subject Headings” Education, Bilingual Multicultural Education Early Childhood Education

10. Interlibrary loan (ILL) Need something and we don’t own it? Use ILL; it’s free! http://library.uco.edu/services/serv_ill.cfm Request articles from our databases Ever get a search that doesn’t “find it”? Just click “Request this item through ILL” Search for books outside our catalog http://library.uco.edu/cats/index.cfm Then Choose “WorldCat”

11. Finally, remember… Any questions? Then AskUs! http://library.uco.edu/ask/