Demystifying Library Databases
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Transcript Demystifying Library Databases
Demystifying
Library
Databases
Or…
What you don’t know
can hurt you.
LJG 9/24/04
Did you know…
Pew study on Internet & American Life
indicates that 86% of US college students
use the Internet for schoolwork, email etc.
73% of students reported they use the
Internet more than the Library for research.
OCLC study reported 58% believe that there
is no difference in reliability of information
from ad-sponsored sites vs. ad-free sites
and 50% of respondents agree that web
information is acceptable for assignments.
Do your professors agree?
They know all information is NOT
of equal value.
Scholarly journals and peer
reviewed publications are
preferred by 100%* of college
faculty!
*OK, so I made that one up.
Research is a Process
They expect you to:
Think about your topic.
Define your research topic.
Determine your Information needs.
Locate and Retrieve Relevant Info.
Use technology to access information.
Evaluate Information.
Use it ethically (e.g., copyright and
plagiarism).
The “Invisible Web”:
“...there are about 500 billion pages of
information available on the web, and
only 1/500 of that information can be
reached via traditional search engines”
Source; “Invisible Web gets Deeper”
SearchEngineWatch, August 2002
http://searchenginewatch.com/sereport/00/08-deepweb.html
Today’s Agenda
Overview of Invisible Web and
Library Computer Resources
Common elements in
database searching and
search features
Remote Access
Sample searches
Let’s
compare
results
Web keywords: incest
daughters and fathers
Catalog subject: incest
Search Engines v
Almost any
keywords will work
Too many results
means you should
add more specific
terms
YOU must judge
accuracy &
credibility
Databases
Searches are
structured
Subject headings
give best results
Searches can be
limited and
refined
Index
scholarly/peer
reviewed sources
Library Database Types
Most have searchable fields that
are“bibliographic.” They give you a
citation and/or abstract to a book or
journal article. You must then
locate the journal or book at CSUS
or use Interlibrary Loan.
A growing, number of databases
are “full text” that have articles that
can be downloaded to disk, printed
or even emailed.
Links from articles to Full Text
CSUS Journal Locator List
Beta version 2.2
SFX – new service under
implementation
You can search by the
following database fields:
Keywords - within the entire record.
Author (last name, first name).
Title of article or book.
Subject headings.
Source or Periodical Title.
Keywords within an abstract.
Keywords within Full-text.
You can search any
database, if you know:
Keyword vs. controlled
vocabulary.
Boolean search language.
Proximity searching.
Limiting.
and...
if you...
READ
THE
SCREEN
READ
THE
SCREEN !
Help screens
Most databases provide screens
with detailed instructions on how
to search most effectively.
IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO
READ THESE HELP SCREENS
FIRST BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR
SEARCH IN A NEW DATABASE !!!
Clues to look for:
Guide, ? Help, Search
Tips.
Boolean or Logical Operators
AND
requires both terms appear in
the items that are retrieved.
OR
requires either term appear in
the items that are retrieved.
NOT
excludes a term.
Boolean Search Strategy
a
AND
b
family and violence
a
OR
c
family or domestic
a
NOT
b
family not violence
a
a
a
b
c
b
Advanced or Guided Searching
Frequent searchers who are
familiar with a database may
choose the Advanced or Guided
Search mode.
This usually allows boolean
searching in Fields using a pull
down menu.
Most Web-based databases
provide an advanced search mode
as well.
You can email results!
Most databases and catalogs allow
you to mark your search result list
and either print the file or send it
as an email message.
You can then copy and paste the
citations into your word processing
document and save yourself from
typing your bibliography.
This works for both citations and
full-text articles.
PrintSmart Laser Printers
All campus labs and Library public
terminals use laser printers called
“PrintSmart”.
Each full-time CSUS student has
$5.00 credit on their OneCard per
semester for 100 free copies.
After that the regular OneCard
cash account is debited for
copies.
CSUS Remote Access:
Anyone can
access EUREKA
and the Library
Home Page on
the Web.
Only
authenticated
users can access
most CSUS
Library
Databases.
New Authentication
Access to databases is authenticated by their Internet Protocol
(IP) address.
CSUS users with other Internet
Service Providers (AOL, Prodigy
etc.) can now keep their ISP and
authenticate by using the SacLink
login and password.
VPN software can also be
downloaded for authentication.
This PowerPoint presentation
was prepared by:
Linda J. Goff
Head of Instructional Services
California State University,
Sacramento
Library
[email protected]
(916) 278-5981
9/24/2004