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Lesson Two

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Title: Lesson Two


1
Lesson Two
  • Introduction to Electronic Databases

2
Definition of a database
  • What is a database?
  • A database consists of organized pieces of
    information. These pieces of information are
    placed into records.
  • The electronic databases contain magazine and
    periodical articles, as well as other types of
    information.

3
Definition of a database
  • For example, a file cabinet could be considered a
    very basic form of a non-digital database. The
    cabinet contains files (records) that contain
    filing cards (pieces of information). These
    pieces of information are placed in some sort of
    order for easy access.
  • Within an electronic database, a computer program
    assists the user in locating requested pieces of
    data.

4
Definition of a database
  • There are many, many different types of
    electronic databases in the world today,
    including full-text databases, bibliographic
    databases, statistical databases, image
    databases, and others.

5
Why are electronic databases useful?
  • Using electronic databases is a very valuable way
    to conduct research.
  • Before the advent of electronic databases,
    research was even more time-consuming and tedious.

6
Why are electronic databases useful?
  • In the past...
  • Compiled indexes or printed lists of resources
    (bibliography listings) would have been used to
    find an article.
  • Once an appropriate article citation was found, a
    print copy of the journal would need to be
    located.
  • Once the journal was found, you would have to
    photocopy the article or make notes about the
    contents.

7
Why are electronic databases useful?
  • Today, with the proper use of an electronic
    database, full-text articles appear almost
    instantaneously on your computer screen.
  • With the advent of the Internet, you may not even
    need to leave your home to conduct research!

8
Common traits of electronic databases
  • There are some features that are almost always
    found in an electronic database. Some of these
    features include
  • A Search Screen
  • Keyword Searching Capability
  • Subject Searching Capability
  • A HELP! Section
  • A Publications Section

9
Common traits of electronic databases Search
screen
  • The search screen is extremely important. This
    screen allows you to enter information and search
    the database.
  • If you had no way of searching the database, you
    would have to browse through thousands, if not
    millions, of articles.

10
Common traits of electronic databases Search
screen
  • There is always a BASIC or SIMPLE way to search
    an electronic database.
  • Usually a word or phrase is entered into a search
    box in order to search for appropriate articles
    from the database.

11
Common Traits of Electronic Databases Keyword
Searching
  • Keyword searching is an option on most databases.
  • What is a keyword?
  • A keyword is the principal word or words that may
    be found in the title, abstract, or the text of
    an article.
  • The keyword may or may not be the subject of the
    article.
  • The keyword search is often the default feature
    of a database.
  • This means that the keyword search screen will be
    the first screen that appears when you enter the
    database.

12
Common Traits of Electronic Databases Subject
Searching
  • Subject searching is an advanced (and very
    helpful) feature of databases.
  • A subject search will always yield more precise
    and "on-target" results than a keyword search.
  • What is a subject?
  • The subject is the reason or main focus of an
    article.

13
Common Traits of Electronic Databases Subject
Searching
  • In contrast, a keyword search will look for words
    that are located within the article. These words
    may not be the main focus of the article.
  • There is also a subject listing in most
    databases.
  • This is an alphabetical listing of subjects used
    to categorize the articles.

14
Common Traits of Electronic Databases HELP!
Section
  • We all need a little help at times.
  • People who design electronic databases realize
    this.
  • That is why all electronic databases have a HELP
    section.

15
Common Traits of Electronic Databases HELP!
Section
  • You may feel awkward using the HELP section,
    especially if you are the type of person who,
    when on a road trip, refuses to admit they are
    lost and need directions.
  • However, if you do not ask for help when you need
    it, you may muddle through obtaining too few, too
    many, or useless results. This can be very
    frustrating.
  • Please don't be afraid to consult the HELP screen
    when necessary. The HELP screen contains useful
    advice and can help you learn how a particular
    database works.

16
Common Traits of Electronic Databases
Publications
  • All databases have a way for the user to find out
    which publications (magazines, journals,
    newspapers, etc.) are part of the database.
  • The search screen may include a listing of the
    database's publications, or a way to browse
    electronically through a particular issue of a
    publication.
  • This can be very helpful. Some publication issues
    may focus on a particular subject or issue. Being
    able to browse through magazine or journal issues
    may help you locate suitable articles for your
    research.

17
Electronic Database Differences
  • All databases have unique traits that may be
    different from database to database.
  • These may include
  • Subject Coverage
  • The Appearance of the Database Screen
  • Advanced Database Features

18
Electronic Database Differences Subject Coverage
  • All databases have a particular focus or subject
    coverage.
  • Some may focus heavily on business issues, some
    on health issues, and some cover general
    reference information.
  • These databases contain publications heavily
    geared towards those subject areas.

19
Electronic Database Differences Subject Coverage
  • This is why it is very helpful to know the
    coverage of a database. Searching in some
    databases may be more effective than others on
    particular topics.
  • Sometimes it is easy to know what can be found in
    a database by its name sometimes it is difficult
    to tell.
  • For example, Business Source Premier is a
    business-related database.
  • However, it may be difficult to know what the
    main focus of the MasterFile Premier database is
    (a general reference database).

20
Electronic Database Differences Subject Coverage
  • Usually, a description of the database can be
    easily found on the main screen of the database.
  • Searching in the appropriate database for your
    topic is most effective.
  • To help users to locate the appropriate
    database(s) for their research, the Library
    offers an electronic Databases By Subject page.

21
Electronic Database DifferencesDatabase
Appearance
  • The appearance and terminology used by one
    database may be different from another database.
  • For example, the ProQuest screen is primarily
    green and orange in color.
  • KYVL's screen is blue and gray.

22
Electronic Database DifferencesDatabase
Appearance
  • Searches may be called by different names.
  • ProQuest has a Basic and Advanced Search.
  • KYVL has a Keyword and Advanced Search.
  • The HELP section can help you understand how to
    use a particular database efficiently and
    effectively.

23
Electronic Database Differences Advanced Features
  • Databases may offer other advanced features that
    are an enhanced, unique part of that particular
    database system.
  • Some advanced features in electronic databases
    could include
  • Natural language searches
  • Searching more than one database at a time
  • E-mailing or saving the results
  • The option to limit a search to full-text or
    scholarly journal articles

24
Electronic Databases atSullivan University
  • As mentioned earlier, the Sullivan University
    System Libraries subscribe to a number of
    electronic databases (over 50!).
  • Access to the databases is available to you as an
    online distance education student.
  • These databases contain full-text and
    bibliographic information from a variety of
    sources, on a variety of topics.
  • Full-text databases provide complete articles.
  • Bibliographic databases contain citations,
    usually with abstracts.

25
Electronic Databases atSullivan University
  • The electronic databases available from Sullivan
    University are subscription databases
  • This means that the University pays a fee in
    order to access the databases.
  • These databases are not available to the general
    public.

26
Electronic Databases atSullivan University
  • The electronic databases differ from resources
    that you may find on the Web.
  • Sources from the Web may or may not contain valid
    information.
  • However, articles and information found on
    electronic databases come from valid and
    reputable sources.
  • The articles found on electronic databases are
    the same articles that can be found in print
    versions.

27
Electronic Databases atSullivan University
  • The databases that are available from the
    Sullivan University System libraries include
  • the ProQuest databases
  • the EBSCOhost Web databases
  • the Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL) databases
    and online catalogs
  • the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database
  • Hoover's Online
  • Mergent Online
  • the Culinary Periodicals Index
  • Cybercinema
  • These will be discussed in more detail on the
    following screens.

28
Electronic Databases ProQuest
  • The ProQuest database allow users to search for
    citations, abstracts, and full-text and
    full-image articles on a variety of topics.

29
Electronic Databases ProQuest
  • You have access to 5 ProQuest databases
  • ABI/INFORM ResearchThis database is considered
    one of the best databases for business-related
    information. ABI/Inform Research searches
    business periodicals for articles related to
    North American business issues, especially in the
    field of management. Information can be found on
    advertising, economics, human resources,
    finances, marketing, computers, and companies.
    ABI/Inform also includes the Wall Street Journal
    from 1984 to the present.
  • Accounting Tax This database is recommended
    for business students and financial
    professionals, this database includes abstracts
    and full-text articles from nearly 300 accounting
    and tax publications, and additional tax-related
    topics compiled from thousands of business
    journals, from 1971 to the present. 
  •  
  • Alt-Press Watch This database provides access
    to articles from alternative and independent
    press newspapers, magazines, and journals that
    provide a valuable non-mainstream source of
    coverage, viewpoints, and perspectives to that of
    traditional media sources.
  • Continued on next page

30
Electronic Databases ProQuest
  • Career Technical EducationThis database
    provides access to articles in vocational and
    technical periodicals covering all aspects of
    Vo/Tech education.
  • Criminal Justice Periodicals IndexThis
    database's 68 journals provides the most
    comprehensive electronic resource for students
    and professionals in the criminal justice field,
    from 1981 to the present. 

31
Electronic Databases EBSCOhost
  • EBSCOhost is an online gateway affording access
    to over 27 different databases.
  • The databases include full-text articles,
    citations with abstracts, and bibliographic
    citations without abstracts.

32
Electronic Databases EBSCOhost
  • The databases cover a variety of topics,
    including general academic topics, business,
    health care, mass media, social sciences, and
    humanities. Some examples of databases include
  • Academic Search Premier
  • Business Source Premier
  • Health Source
  • MasterFILE Premier
  • MAS Ultra
  • Newspaper Source
  • Psychology and Behaviorial Sciences Collection
  • Religion and Philosophy Collection
  • Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
  • And other databases

33
Electronic DatabasesKentucky Virtual Library
(KYVL)
  • The Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL), a statewide
    library consortium of Kentucky, offers a wide
    range of full-text magazine, journal, and
    newspaper databases.

34
Electronic DatabasesKentucky Virtual Library
(KYVL)
  • Over 40 databases are accessible through KYVL.
    The user also has access to
  • online library catalogs
  • government information
  • a digital library
  • an information skills tutorial
  • a "virtual reference desk"

35
Electronic DatabasesOpposing Viewpoints
Resource Center (OVRC)
  • The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (OVRC)
    is a comprehensive, full-text database providing
    differing points of view on current social
    issues, such as affirmative action, censorship,
    ecology and mental health.
  • OVRC provides information and commentary on a
    wide array of topics.

36
Electronic DatabasesOpposing Viewpoints
Resource Center (OVRC)
  • Information may include
  • Essays offering different points of view from
    more than 170 titles of the print Opposing
    Viewpoints and other Greenhaven series
  • Government data, court cases, and statistics
  • Organizational profiles
  • Newspaper and magazine articles
  • Links to subject-related web sites

37
Electronic DatabasesHoover's Online and
Mergent Online
  • Two other business-related databases that are
    accessible to you are Hoover's Online and
    Mergent Online.
  • Hoover's Online is a database that provides
    company and stock market information on over 12
    million businesses. In-depth coverage can be
    found on over 40,000 companies and enterprises.
  • Morningstar provides access to stock and mutual
    fund reports, as well as other financial
    information. It also features the Morningstar
    ratings and analysis.

38
Electronic DatabasesCulinary Periodicals Index
(CPI) and Cybercinema
  • In addition to the other databases, there are two
    other unique databases of interest to culinary
    and hospitality students.
  • These are the Culinary Periodicals Index (CPI)
    and Cybercinema.

39
Electronic DatabasesCulinary Periodicals Index
(CPI) and Cybercinema
  • The Culinary Periodicals Index (CPI) is a
    "homegrown" database, created by the Sullivan
    University Louisville librarians. CPI contains
    citations and abstracts to culinary magazines
    that the library subscribes to. Consequently, CPI
    is not a full-text database but rather a finding
    list to articles in culinary periodicals found in
    the Sullivan University Library's collection.
  • The culinary magazines can be found in hard copy
    at the Sullivan University Library.
  • The CPI is searchable by subject and keyword.
  • Another component found in the CPI is the audio
    Pronunciation Guide to French Culinary Terms.
  • Cybercinema provides access to the American
    Hotel Lodging Educational Institute streaming
    video library on a range of subjects from
    housekeeping to maintenance and engineering. The
    videos are available on the Web using Windows
    Media Player and some can be viewed in languages
    other than English.

40
How to Access Electronic Databases
  • As a Sullivan University student, you have
    database privileges.
  • All of the electronic databases can be accessed
    ("gotten to") both on- and off-campus.
  • All that is needed is a computer that is "hooked
    up" to the Internet and knowledge on how to
    navigate to the electronic databases.
  • The following screens provide directions on how
    to access the databases from on- or off-campus.

41
How to Access Electronic DatabasesOn-Campus
  • All of the databases can be accessed easily by
    using a computer workstation at any of the
    Sullivan University campuses.

42
How to Access Electronic DatabasesOn-Campus
  • To go to a database
  • Go to the library's web page (http//library.sulli
    van.edu)
  • Place the mouse cursor on the DATABASES tab. A
    drop-down menu will open.
  • Scroll down to ON CAMPUS ACCESS. Another
    drop-down menu will open.
  • Scroll to the database that you wish to open.
  • Click on SEARCH, and the first screen of the
    database will open.

43
How to Access Electronic DatabasesOff-Campus
  • Students can also access the databases remotely
    (at another location other than a Sullivan
    University campus).

44
How to Access Electronic DatabasesOff-Campus
  • NOTE We have had a number of users reporting
    problems when using the America Online (AOL)
    browser screen. If you are using AOL, you will
    need to switch your browser screen to the
    Microsoft Internet Explorer (Microsoft IE)
    browser. To go to Microsoft IE, minimize the AOL
    browser and look for the icon to Microsoft IE on
    your desktop (it will be a big, blue E). If not
    on your desktop , go to the START menu, then
    PROGRAMS to find.

45
How to Access Electronic DatabasesOff-Campus
  • To go to a database off-campus
  • Go to the library's web page (http//library.sulli
    van.edu)
  • Place the mouse cursor on the DATABASES tab. A
    drop-down menu will open.
  • Click OFF CAMPUS ACCESS. The REMOTE ACCESS PAGE
    will open.
  • Click STUDENT, STAFF FACULTY LINK.
  • A password box will open containing two or three
    boxes.
  • If two boxes and your name was John Doe (with a
    user name of jdoe1121)
  • type suscorp\jdoe1121 in the USER NAME box.
  • type your social security number without hyphens
    in the PASSWORD box.
  • Click OK.
  • If three boxes
  • type jdoe1121 in the USER NAME box.
  • type your social security number without hyphens
    in the PASSWORD box.
  • type suscorp in the DOMAIN box.
  • Click OK.

46
How to Access Electronic DatabasesOff-Campus
  • The REMOTE ACCESS HELP page will open. This page
    contains hyperlinks and passwords to go to the
    databases.
  • NOTE If you do not know your username or
    password, or if you have trouble logging in,
    please contact the IT Helpdesk at
    helpdesk_at_sullivan.edu or call the IT Department
    at 502-456-0004 or 1-800-844-1354 ext 410.
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