Selecting a resource to search for articles

1. Selecting a resource to search for articles This tutorial provides and overview of how to access and select a relevant database(s) to search for articles.

2. What is a “database?” Databases (a.k.a. electronic indexes) enable you to search for articles and article citations on a given topic using a variety of search options and strategies. More and more databases provide direct access to the electronic full-text of the articles you find.

3. The Find articles pagehttp://www.edinboro.edu/departments/library/find/Find_Articles.dot Provides access to several dozen general and subject-specific databases. Arranged alphabetically. Hovering the cursor over a title produces a brief blurb describing the resource.

4. Broad OR specific? Some databases provide coverage of a broad range of topics but with little depth. Other resources focus on a specific topic or discipline in great detail but don’t provide much depth General databases are good entry points for many researchers The best research typically involves a combination of both types of resources

5. Resources vary Because we subscribe to resources from a variety of vendors, the opening screen or “search interface” varies. Even with different resources from the same vendor, many search options will vary based on the content and coverage area(s) of the resources.

6. REMOTE ACCESShttp://www.edinboro.edu/departments/library/help/off_campus_access.dot Virtually all of the library’s databases are available remotely. Before gaining access, you will have to log-in using one of two procedures.

7. LEFTHAND OPTIONOnline students The left option is for use by students who don’t know or don’t have a campus network account. Library ID = first initial, 8-digit ID#, last initial Last name = your last name e.g. John Doe @01234567  j01234567d Last name = doe

8. RightHAND OPTIONresident or hybrid students The right option is for use by students who have an active campus network account. Select Edinboro from the drop-down list and then enter your network username and password to gain access.