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When working on a research assignment, you'll use both search engines like Google and library databases to find information. Where you search will depend on your topic and how far along you are in the research process. In this module, we will explore what search engines and library databases are and the differences between them. We'll also talk about Wikipedia, and how it can fit into your search process. Finally, we'll show you what it looks like to search a library database.
After completing this module, you will be able to:
When you search for information online, you'll likely use a combination of general web searching and library database searching. This section will discuss the difference between the two.
We'll talk about general web searching, then library databases. Then we'll give an overview of Wikipedia, and talk about how it can be useful in the research process.
If you've Googled a someone or something, you've used a search engine. A search engine, such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, uses computer algorithms to search the Internet and show websites that match the words entered by a user.
Library databases are collections of published information from magazines, journals, and newspapers. Library databases can be general (all disciplines) or discipline-specific (e.g. a psychology database). Libraries pay subscription fees so that faculty, staff, and students can access databases. Therefore, when you use a database you may need to log in with your student ID and password.
It depends on what type of information you are hoping to find and how you plan to use it. If you want credible, scholarly articles, you will have more success finding relevant sources in a library database free of charge. If you want Census data, it is more efficient to find that through a search engine that guides you to the appropriate government website.
Academic Search Complete is a great general database to find articles on most topics. You can always contact your library to ask for database recommendations. We love to help!
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia with entries that can be created, added, and edited by anyone.
Always be sure to read your assignment carefully and be sure to ask your instructor if you are unsure what sources to consult.
And if you are ever in doubt about the reliability and credibility of a resource or need assistance finding a proper resource, do not hesitate to ask a librarian!
Since databases are products created and sold by different companies, they don't all look the same. Most databases contain a search box, which is where you'll type keywords that you've identified to describe your topic. The database will return results that contain the keywords you've entered. You can also tell the database that you only want to see articles that were published within a certain date range, that come from a certain type of source, or that are available to view as a full-text document.
Let's look at a database and learn a little more about using it. EBSCOhost is a company that produces several popular databases, such as Academic Search Complete(general/multidisciplinary), Business Source Complete (business), and CINAHL (nursing). The following video will demonstrate what a search in an EBSCOhost database - in this case, Academic Search Complete- looks like. Pay attention to the ways you can limit both your initial search and the results you receive.
(EBSCO Tutorials, 2022)
Sometimes, searching for articles on a topic can be a process of trial and error. Keep track of the keywords you search, so that you don't accidentally repeat yourself and you can retrace your steps later.
Here are some tips if you found too much information, too little information, or the wrong information in your search.
Why did the database give this to you? Computers are not mind readers, and as such cannot determine the intent behind an entry. They can only parse what's in the search box. Thus, you might want to examine a record that you know to be useless to see if perhaps you typed in a word that you meant one way, while the computer read it as another. Narrowing your search terms or question can be very useful, as well.
Instead of Japan and economy
Try Japan and economy and (auto or automobile or car)
Doing this can help you figure out what terms to use--or not--in your next search. Look under Subject or Title for matches, and try doing an Advanced Search or a Subject Search, if you can.
Many databases search for words exactly as entered, and cannot auto-correct spelling errors. Check a dictionary if you're not sure of a spelling.
You may be able to Google "What is the meaning of life?", but this is not a good search for a database. Most databases will only give you results if the string you typed can be found in the record--exactly in the order you typed it. Try combining words and short phases. Type the word "and" between them.
Instead of discrimination against ethnic Chinese in Vietnam
Try discrimination and ethnic Chinese and Vietnam
Not every source refers to a concept in the exact same way. Using other terms to describe your topic in a search can expand your options if you're low on sources. Acronyms and contractions can be very helpful here. Wikipedia can be a good place to look for other terms that describe your topic.
Sometimes, there just isn't much on the topic you want. When this is the case, it's a good idea to broaden your terms and perhaps use your original topic as part of a larger project, instead of as the focus of it.
Very narrow recombinant DNA and sheep
Narrow cloning and animals
Broader genetic engineering and animals
Very broad genetic and animals
If the results you are getting are in no way relevant to your topic question, you may want to see if you're using the right database. Check the library's list of databases and descriptions for something that better matches your topic. This might be a really good time to talk to a librarian - we know a lot about our library's databases and would be happy to help you.
The content for this module is drawn from the following sources:
EBSCO Tutorials. (2022, March 23). EBSCOHost basic search - tutorial [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT833d5F2yI
Undergraduate Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (n.d.). Compare databases and search engines. https://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/howdoi/compare1/
University of Toledo Libraries. (n.d.). Quality teaching & learning: Information literacy in Blackboard. https://libguides.utoledo.edu/QTL/blackboard
Quiz
Library Learning Modules are attributed to the PALNI Information Literacy Modules. Changes made: Quiz portion created by Morgan Library Librarians.
All of the PALNI Information Literacy Modules are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.