This document provides guidance on using library databases such as ProQuest and JSTOR to research topics and find scholarly journal articles and other sources. It outlines how to develop keywords from a topic, search databases effectively using Boolean logic and filters, collect and save search results, and get help from a librarian if needed. Databases contain peer-reviewed sources not available elsewhere and can save time compared to general web searches. Tips are provided on refining searches, choosing file formats, and excluding book reviews from JSTOR results.

1. Research in ProQuest and JSTOR EngWr 300 (Magneson), Spring 2008 Jeff Karlsen, LRC Librarian [email_address]

2. Doing research in LOIS and text databases: Getting started What is your topic ? You should be able to summarize it in a single phrase What are keywords ? Ideas, phrases, topics When you search for information, you can combine them

3. Topic  Keywords Topic : semiotics of cell phones Keywords : cell phones, cellular phones, mobile phones privacy work, leisure communication, community individuality, isolation consumption, conspicuous consumption United States, Mexico

4. Library Website Link on the SCC website http://scc.losrios.edu Library home page http://scc.losrios.edu/~library

5. LOIS : Books, audio/visual media, reserve materials, e-books

6. DATABASES – articles, image collections, reference works, e-books

7. Accessing databases from home: ARE YOU IN THE SYSTEM? In LOIS, go to the My Record section. If you can view your record in LOIS, then you can access resources from home (and renew and request books, too!). If not, visit the Circulation Desk.

8. Finding articles and data: using Library Databases vs. Web (Google, Wikipedia, etc.) Information from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed journals; mostly not available on open Web No advertising Saves you time Research Library (ProQuest) : information on various topics. Academic journals, general-interest magazines, trade publications Newspapers (ProQuest): variety of newspapers incl. NY Times, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Christian Science Monitor JSTOR: scholarly journals; no material newer than 3 years ago

9. ProQuest Research Library

10. Important search tips Enclose phrases in quotation marks (“body piercing, “american idol”); not always necessary, but never hurts Ending a word with an asterisk (*) searches different endings (blog* searches blog, blogs, blogging, blogosphere etc.) Keyword often searches only the citation (title, author, abstract, subjects), not full-text of article. You can often command the search engine to search full-text in a dropdown screen.

11. ProQuest Research Library: Results ProQuest will suggest topics from its vocabulary—click on one to get all articles in that category

12. Important search tips: Boolean logic AND finds only those materials that contain BOTH terms OR finds materials that use EITHER term (more results) NOT (sometimes AND NOT ) finds articles that contain one term, but not the other. cell phones AND privacy Cell phones OR mobile phones cell phones NOT iphone

13. ProQuest Research Library: Refine search

14. ProQuest Research Library: Collecting materials “ Mark” documents to review later Use “My Research” tab to view marked documents E-mail, print, or save full text PDF generally better for preserving images—they don’t always display correctly in “Text+Graphics” Choose citation format—beware, sometimes format is not done correctly

15. JSTOR : Advanced Search Screen JSTOR contains lots of reviews; exclude unless you want them SCC is unlikely to have these Journals go back to the late 1800s!

16. Questions? Need more help? Reference Desk, 2 nd floor of Learning Resource Center Phone: 558-2461 E-mail me: [email_address]