ERIC Slide Show A Tour of the Educational Resources Information Center

What Is ERIC? ERIC is the Educational Resources Information Center— a federally funded, nationwide information network designed to provide you with ready access to education literature. ERIC is a program of the U.S. Department of Education and is administered by the National Library of Education. National Library of Education

The ERIC System Adult, career, and vocational education Assessment and evaluation Community colleges Counseling and student services Disabilities and gifted education Educational management Elementary and early childhood education Higher education ERIC consists of a network of 16 subject-specific clearinghouses, plus adjunct clearinghouses, and support components. The clearinghouses cover these areas: Information & technology Languages and linguistics Reading, English, and communication Rural education and small schools Science, mathematics, and environmental education Social studies/social science education Teaching and teacher education Urban education

U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences National Library of Education

What Can You Get From ERIC? The ERIC Database –Abstracts of more than 1 million journal articles, research reports, books, teaching guides, and other types of education literature. ERIC can also provide you with copies of many documents abstracted in the database. ERIC Digests –Two-page summaries of more than 2,400 education topics. AskERIC –An question-answering service with response in two business days. National Parent Information Network –A Web site with thousands of resources for parents and caregivers.

What Else Can You Get From ERIC? Help from subject experts –Information Specialists in 16 subject-specific clearinghouses are available via toll-free phone, , mail, or fax. ERIC-produced publications –More than 1,400 books, monographs, journals, and other publications. Content-rich Web sites –Clearinghouse Web sites linked together by the main ERIC site. Plus: –Lesson plans, a conference calendar, and much more.

The ERIC Database –What’s in the ERIC Database? –Where Can You Search the ERIC Database? –Tips on Searching ERIC –How To Get Copies of ERIC Database Materials –How To Contribute Your Work to ERIC ERIC Products and Services –ERIC Digests –AskERIC –National Parent Information Network –Help From Subject Experts –ERIC-Produced Publications –Content-Rich Web Sites Start Here What Would You Like To Know About ERIC? Start Here

Products and Services The ERIC Database

Products and Services What’s in the ERIC Database? Journal Articles –600,000+ abstracts of articles from more than 1,000 journals (EJs) ERIC Documents –440,000+ abstracts of research papers, books, conference presentations, curriculum guides, and much more (EDs)

Products and Services Here’s a sample journal article abstract from the ERIC database: ERIC NO: EJ TITLE: The Impact of Immigration Policy on Education Reform: Implications for the New Millennium. AUTHOR: Contreras, A. Reynaldo JOURNAL CITATION: Education and Urban Society; v34 n2 p Feb 2002 DESCRIPTORS: Diversity (Student); Immigrants; Urban Education IDENTIFIERS: Immigration and Nationality Act 1965; *Immigration Legislation ABSTRACT: Analyzes how immigration policy affects educators' efforts to teach in schools serving immigrant families… (Note: This is a partial abstract.)

Products and Services Here’s a sample ERIC document abstract: ERIC NO: ED TITLE: Highland Elementary School. Learning by Example Series. AUTHOR: Fager, Jennifer DESCRIPTORS: Change Strategies; Educational Practices; Educational Quality; Partnerships in Education; Reading Achievement IDENTIFIERS: Salem Public Schools OR ABSTRACT: As part of a series of stories about real-world schools that have achieved substantial success in school improvement over multiple- year periods, this report provides an in-depth look at one school's efforts to improve student learning… PUBLICATION DATE: 2002 (Note: This is a partial abstract.)

Products and Services Where Can You Search the ERIC Database? On any computer with an Internet connection –Go to and click on “ERIC Database Search Options.” At many university and public libraries –Call 1–800–LET–ERIC for the location nearest you. –Search the Directory of ERIC Resource Collections You can also subscribe to the database on CD-ROM and have your own copy. –Call 1–800–799–ERIC for price and ordering information.

Products and Services Tips on Searching the ERIC Database The ERIC database has more than 1 million abstracts on education, so there’s probably information in ERIC on your topic. You’ll find the abstracts most relevant to your topic if you learn and use these tips on searching ERIC...

Products and Services TIP 1: Find and use ERIC descriptors. TIP 2: Use several search terms. TIP 3: Use the descriptors from the most relevant abstracts to find more abstracts. TIP 4: Use AND and OR search commands. To get the best search results:

Products and Services TIP 1: Find and use ERIC descriptors Every abstract in ERIC is indexed with subject terms called descriptors. Title: Profiles of Native Language Education Programs. A Source Book for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Descriptors: *American Indian Education; *American Indian Languages; Community Education; Elementary Secondary Education; Higher Education; *Language Maintenance; *Native Language Instruction; Preschool Education; Profiles; Program Descriptions; *Second Language Instruction; Teacher Education; Tribes (Notice that the title refers to native language education programs. The ERIC descriptor for this concept is native language instruction. ERIC descriptors under discussion are shown in red in this slide show).

Examples of ERIC Descriptors For the concept “social skills,” the ERIC descriptor is interpersonal competence. For the concept “ungraded classes,” the ERIC descriptor is nongraded instructional grouping. Products and Services

How do you find ERIC descriptors? ERIC descriptors are listed in The Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors. –Use the Thesaurus on-line at or at libraries that offer ERIC. –Use search engines that include the Thesaurus. –Call an ERIC Clearinghouse toll-free for descriptors and help with your search strategy.

Products and Services TIP 2: Use several search terms For example, to find material about “college transfer,” use all three of these ERIC descriptors: ? college transfer students ? transfer policy ? transfer programs

Products and Services TIP 3: Use the descriptors from the most relevant abstracts to find additional abstracts. Example: You could search for abstracts on retaining young children in the same grade using the term “retention” and find: Title: Retention and Its Effect on Low Level Readers. Descriptors: *Grade Repetition; * Low Achievement; Primary Education; Program Effectiveness; * Reading Achievement; Reading Research; * Student Promotion; Urban Education Now use the descriptor grade repetition to run another search.

Products and Services Searching the descriptor grade repetition, will find additional related abstracts, such as these titles: Title: Differences in Social Adjustment and Classroom Behavior between Children Retained in Kindergarten and Groups of Age and Grade Matched Peers. Descriptors:* Grade Repetition; * Kindergarten Children; * Social Adjustment; * Student Adjustment; * Student Behavior;... Title: Does an Extra Year (Junior First Grade) Enhance Academic Ability and Self-Concept of Academic Ability? Descriptors: Academic Ability; *Academic Achievement; Age Differences; *Elementary School Students; *Grade Repetition; Grade 1; Kindergarten; *Self Concept;...

Products and Services TIP 4: Use AND and OR search commands The AND command narrows your search, finding abstracts that contain all of your search terms. For example, searching learning disabilities AND higher education finds: Title: Accommodating College Students with Learning Disabilities: How Much Is Enough? Descriptors: College Administration; College Faculty; * College Instruction; * College Students; * Ethics; Federal Regulation; Higher Education; * Learning Disabilities; * Public Policy; Student Rights; * Teacher Role

Products and Services Here’s an example of an effective use of the AND command: Search topic: –Prevention of adolescent suicide Search strategy: –prevention AND adolescents AND suicide

Products and Services The OR command broadens your search, finding abstracts that contain at least one of your search terms. For example, searching learning disabilities OR higher education finds: Title: Word Boxes Help Children with Learning Disabilities Identify and Spell Words. Descriptors: *Beginning Reading; Elementary Education; *Learning Disabilities;... Title: American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century: Social, Political and Economic Challenges. Descriptors: *College Role; *Educational Policy; *Educational Trends: *Futures (of Society); *Higher Education;…

Products and Services Here’s an example of an effective use of the OR command: Search topic: –Ungraded classes Search strategy: –nongraded instructional grouping OR mixed age grouping OR multigraded classes

Products and Services Advanced Search Tip! You can use both AND and OR commands in your search. Search topic: –Benefits of vocational education Search strategy: vocational education program effectiveness OR technical education AND educational benefits OR trade and industrial education

Products and Services More Advanced Search Tips Limiting by date—for example, material produced in the last 5 years. Limiting by publication type—for example, program descriptions, research, or teaching guides. There are several other ways to refine your search, including the following:

A word about search engines... You can search the ERIC database on CD-ROM, through online vendors, and on several free Web sites. Search engines associated with each of these methods can vary. When you select a search site or CD-ROM, take a moment to review the tips on how to use the search engine. Products and Services

Sample ERIC Search Engine

Products and Services How To Get Copies of ERIC Database Materials ERIC Documents (EDs) Copies of most ERIC Documents are available on microfiche at university and public libraries. For a fee, you can also order paper, microfiche, or electronic copies from: ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS) 1–800–443–ERIC Find out whether your favorite library offers E*Subscribe, which provides patrons with electronic copies of ERIC documents.

Products and Services ERIC Journal Articles (EJs) Copies of journal articles abstracted in ERIC can be found in library periodical collections or purchased from the following article reprint services: –Ingenta 1–800–296– –Institute for Scientific Information 1–800–336– You can also write to the journal publishers for copies. Addresses of publishers are available on the Facility’s Web site at:

Products and Services How To Contribute Your Work to ERIC ERIC collects a variety of materials on a wide range of topics. Examples of materials in the database include: bookslesson plans research reportsbibliographies manuals/handbooks tests speeches/conference papers program descriptions To have your material considered for inclusion in the ERIC database, send one legible copy along with a Reproduction Release Form ( to: –an ERIC Clearinghouse that covers your topic, or –the ERIC Processing and Reference Facility For more information on submitting your work, call the Facility at: 1–800–799–ERIC

ERIC Products and Services The ERIC Database

ERIC Digests The ERIC Clearinghouses have produced more than 2,400 ERIC Digests. These two-page, research-synthesis papers provide brief overviews of current education issues. They are frequently in question-and-answer format and always include a list of additional resources. ERIC Digests can be found via digests/index/

The ERIC Database AskERIC AskERIC is a personalized, Internet-based service that will answer your education-related questions—usually in two working days. AskERIC responses include: –a list of ERIC database abstracts on your topic –relevant full-text materials, such as ERIC Digests (if available) –referrals to related organizations –suggested Web sites on your topic Send your questions to

The ERIC Database National Parent Information Network (NPIN) Assessment and Testing Child Care (all ages) Children and the Media Children with Special Needs Children's Health and Nutrition Early Childhood—Learning Families, Technology, and Education Helping Children Learn at Home Parents and Schools as Partners Teens (14–20) NPIN provides parents and those who work with parents with a variety of resources, including Parent News, a bimonthly online magazine for parents; Parents AskERIC, an question-answering service; and lots of useful information grouped into categories such as: Try NPIN at

The ERIC Database ERIC Information Specialists are available to help you locate the information you need. These subject experts can: –Give you tips on searching the ERIC database on your topic. –Send you free and low-cost ERIC publications. –Suggest Web sites and other resources on your topic. To reach ERIC Information Specialists: –Contact ACCESS ERIC 1–800–LET–ERIC ACCESS ERIC will refer you to the ERIC Clearinghouse that covers your area of interest. Help From Subject Experts

The ERIC Database ERIC-Produced Publications ERIC Clearinghouses and components offer an array of books, monographs, journals, and other publications. To find out what’s available, contact ACCESS ERIC or the clearinghouses.

The ERIC Database Content-Rich Web Sites All ERIC components have Web sites. These sites provide you with copies of ERIC Digests, information on other ERIC-produced publications, virtual libraries of full-text material from other sources, electronic journals, and links to related Web sites. The next two slides show the home pages of two ERIC Clearinghouse Web sites.

The ERIC Database

The ERIC Database

The ERIC Database All ERIC Web sites are linked together by the main ERIC site:

The ERIC Database ERIC also features: Lesson plans—contains more than 2000 unique lesson plans which have been written and submitted to AskERIC by teachers from all over the United States and the world: A Conference Calendar—a searchable database of more than 600 education-related conferences:

For more information on ERIC, contact: ACCESS ERIC 1–800–LET–ERIC (538–3742)