Title: Lesson Two
1Lesson Two
- Introduction to Electronic Databases
2Definition 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.
3Definition 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.
4Definition 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.
5Why 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.
6Why 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.
7Why 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!
8Common 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
9Common 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.
10Common 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.
11Common 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.
12Common 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.
13Common 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.
14Common 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.
15Common 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.
16Common 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.
17Electronic 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
18Electronic 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.
19Electronic 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).
20Electronic 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.
21Electronic 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.
22Electronic 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.
23Electronic 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
24Electronic 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.
25Electronic 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.
26Electronic 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.
27Electronic 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.
28Electronic Databases ProQuest
- The ProQuest database allow users to search for
citations, abstracts, and full-text and
full-image articles on a variety of topics.
29Electronic 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. - Â
- 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
30Electronic 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.Â
31Electronic 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.
32Electronic 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
33Electronic 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.
34Electronic 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"
35Electronic 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.
36Electronic 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
37Electronic 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. -
38Electronic 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.
39Electronic 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.
40How 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.
41How 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.
42How 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.
43How to Access Electronic DatabasesOff-Campus
- Students can also access the databases remotely
(at another location other than a Sullivan
University campus).
44How 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.
45How 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.
46How 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.