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Database Research Have you ever gone to the Internet to look for important information only to come up with commercial websites or “garbage” cloaked as facts? Don’t let your grade or decision depend on websites from non-credible sources.

Databases for Research In this module you will learn:  The difference between databases and Internet Websites  How to access the databases provided by ACC’s library  How to use different database interfaces to obtain information you need

orial/glossary.html What’s a Database? Database - A collection of information organized and presented to serve a specific purpose. (A telephone book is a common database.) A computerized database is an updated, organized file of machine readable information that is rapidly searched and retrieved by computer.

ACC Library Databases  An electronic collection of magazine, newspaper and journal articles or abstracts of articles  A collection of full text books NOTICE: These are articles and/or books that were in print put in use on computers – either through the Internet, CD-ROM electronic format for or and Intranet.

Isn’t a database a website? A website is: “A group of Web Pages that collectively represent a company, or individual on the World Wide Web. A group of web pages that have been developed together to present information on specific subjects is also a Web Site.” This doesn’t say anything about articles or books written for print. They can be written by anyone, anywhere for any purpose – even to give DISinformation

The big question?  If I am looking for legitimate, reliable information which would be a more dependable source – Choose one: Website? Database?

Perhaps you need to review:  Website -“A group of Web Pages that collectively represent a company, or individual on the World Wide Web. A group of web pages that have been developed together to present information on specific subjects is also a Web Site.” NOTICE: This doesn’t say anything about articles or books written for print. They can be written by anyone, anywhere for any purpose – even to give DISinformation  Database - A collection of information organized and presented to serve a specific purpose. (A telephone book is a common database.) A computerized database is an updated, organized file of machine readable information that is rapidly searched and retrieved by computer. ACC’s databases: An electronic collection of magazine, newspaper and journal articles or abstracts of articles OR collection of full text books ACC’s databases: An electronic collection of magazine, newspaper and journal articles or abstracts of articles OR collection of full text books NOTICE: These are articles and/or books that were in print put in electronic format for use on computers – either through the Internet, CD-ROM or and Intranet CLICK TO CONTINUE WITH THE MODULE CLICK TO CONTINUE WITH THE MODULE

Good choice!!  Website -“A group of Web Pages that collectively represent a company, or individual on the World Wide Web. A group of web pages that have been developed together to present information on specific subjects is also a Web Site.”  Database - A collection of information organized and presented to serve a specific purpose. (A telephone book is a common database.) A computerized database is an updated, organized file of machine readable information that is rapidly searched and retrieved by computer. ACC’s databases: An electronic collection of magazine, newspaper and journal articles or abstracts of articles OR collection of full text books ACC’s databases: An electronic collection of magazine, newspaper and journal articles or abstracts of articles OR collection of full text books Click to continue Click to continue

Instructions on Accessing the Databases  The following slides will instruct you on how to access the databases from Alvin Community College Library’s website:  Once you’ve reached the site select “Texshare Databases” from the Navigation menu

Opening ACC Library’s Web page & selecting Texshare Databases Texshare Databases

Directions for local and remote access You should be taken directly to the database menu if you are on campus. If off campus, you must have login and password. This can be obtained along with instructions from the library.

Test your memory True or False? You must have a password to get into the databases both on and off campus  True True  False False

Correct!! You should be taken directly to the database menu if you are on campus. If off campus, you must have login and password. This can be obtained along with instructions from the library. Next

Take another look: You should be taken directly to the database menu if you are on campus. If off campus, you must have login and password. This can be obtained along with instructions from the library. Next

ACC’s Databases  Through a collective partnership with Texshare and other libraries in the state, Alvin Community College Library is able to enlarge it’s collection by providing access to thousands of articles and books, electronically.

Texshare Menu View when first opened Scroll down To the Alphabetical Listing

4 Database Providers There are 4 database providers who provide various parts of our electronic collection:  Ebsco  Gale  NetLibrary  OCLC

Quick run through of each  This tutorial is not intended to be a detailed explanation of all databases in the collection. It is a basic presentation on how to do searches that will get results. Searching each is similar unless otherwise stated.

Ebsco Always click Full Text to get the full text of articles. It is recommended that you select Scholarly Journals (also known as Peer Reviewed or Refereed) When using more than one word, use and between them or use quotes to keep them together. Examples: Students and “binge drinking” Students and “binge drinking”

Gale (except LRC) Gale databases LOOK different but the search strategy is the same as Ebsco. Quotes And Full Text and Peer Reviewed

netLibrary Accessing Your Library's eBook Collection This site provides access to ACC Library's eBook collection. When you enter the site from ACC’s library website, you will see the library name in the box on the right side of the screen. Once you have accessed ACC’s netLibrary site, you are able to search and view the full text of all the eBooks in the library's eBook collection.

The most effective search is Keyword. This will search all basic fields in the database. If your results are too small, change it to Full Text. Don’t forget the quotes! “binge drinking” and students

There were no results using these as keywords. Try clicking “Full Text” for a full text search. 205 items found when searching by Full Text and Students and “binge drinking”

eBooks come with “clickable” table of contents The index has links from subjects to their actual pages.

OCLC OCLC provides several databases but ArticleFirst (OCLC) is the one recommended for general searches on most topics

Keyword search is suggested for best results. There is very little difference when doing multiple word searches using just the words vs. quotes or and

One last quiz: Click on the strategy that was NOT suggested for improving multiple word searches:  Use the word or Use the word or Use the word or  Surround the words with quotes Surround the words with quotes Surround the words with quotes  Use the word and Use the word and Use the word and

You’re right!  To improve multiple word searches it is a good idea to use and or surround the words with quotes if they should be together.  Example: “binge drinking” binge and drinking Next

Think this through…  To improve multiple word searches it is a good idea to use and or surround the words with quotes if they should be together.  Example: “binge drinking” binge and drinking Next

Additional Tips -If you are still having difficulties finding information: select either “search tips” or “help” Ebsco’s search tips and help Gale’s search tips and help

Now…what do you want to do?  To begin searching go to the library website and select Texshare Databases in the navigation bar. library website library website  To get some smart strategies to search the Internet go to the “Search the Internet” tutorial.