texshare databases basic reference lesson 1
DESCRIPTION
Lesson 1 presentation to go along with the TexShare Basic Reference Training in a Box. This goes along with the participant manual available here: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/workshops/texshare/TRANSCRIPT
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Library Development
TexShare Databases Program
Using TexShare Databases for Basic Reference
Lesson 1: The Search Process
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Introduction
MasterFILE PremierAcademic Search CompleteBusiness Source CompleteNewspaper SourceConsumer Health Complete
How to use the most common TexShare databases for basic reference in the public libraries:
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Reasons for using the TexShare Databases
Access to high quality, accurate information
Free Able to conduct focused searches using
limiters and expanders Has both historical and up-to-date
information No shelf space required Search many sources at once
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Reasons for using the TexShare Databases
Portable information Print Save Email Copy/paste material Appropriate citations
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Lesson 1: The Search Process
Steps of the search process
1. Conduct a reference interview
2. Formulate a search strategy
3. Access the databases
4. Identify appropriate databases
5. Perform the search
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1. Conducting the Reference Interview
• Information need
• Purpose or desired outcome
• Type and amount of information needed
• Types of sources needed• The patron’s knowledge of
the subject
• Previous searching efforts
• Project deadline • Teacher demands for
types of materials, if any
• Final product – report, essay, debate, poster, etc.
Determine
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1. Interview continued….
Remember!
Communicate with the patron in a receptive and polite manner
Avoid using jargon
Make sure the query you enter into the database is free of spelling or other errors
Explain the search strategy and sources
Help to narrow or broaden the search as needed
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2. Formulating a Search Strategy
Keyword
Phrase
Subject term
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Try it!
Homelessness
Alternative energy sources
Health care reform
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3. Accessing the Databases
http://www.libraryoftexas.org/
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4. Identify the appropriate databases
General Information and Periodicals • Academic Search Complete (EBSCO)• MasterFILE Premier (EBSCO)• Newspaper Source (EBSCO)• Psychology and Behavioral Science
Collection (EBSCO)• Religion and Philosophy Collection
(EBSCO)
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4. Databases, continued…..
Homework and Education • Primary Search (EBSCO Searchasaurus
and Kids Search) • Middle Search (EBSCO Kids Search,
Student Research Center)• MAS Ultra (EBSCO Student Research
Center)• ERIC - Education Resource Information
Center (EBSCO) • Professional Development Collection
(EBSCO)
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4. More databases…..
History and Genealogy • Texas Reference Center (EBSCO)• World History Collection (EBSCO)• Military and Government Collection (EBSCO)• Handbook of Texas• HeritageQuest Online• Texas Digital Sanborn Maps
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4. Still more databases…..
Health and Medical• Health Source: Consumer Edition
(EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)• Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition
(EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)• Natural and Alternative Treatments
(EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)• Health and Wellness Resource Center• Health Reference Center Academic
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4. Even more databases…..
Business Resources• Business Source Complete (EBSCO)• Newspaper Source (EBSCO)• Regional Business News (EBSCO)
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4. Yet more databases…..
Books and Literature• 20th Century Poetry Collections• Contemporary Authors• Contemporary Literary Criticism• Dictionary of Literary Biography• Literature Resource Center with
Scribner and Twayne’s• WorldCat
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Try it!
a. Go to a Public Library website; find a list of databases including the TexShare resources.
b. Click on the TexShare icon to see a list of available resources.
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c. Click on the Complete List of Databases link
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d. Now click on All EBSCO Databases
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5. Perform the Search
Basic Searches • Contain one or more keywords or
phrases. • Use quotation marks to keep words
within a phrase together when searching.
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5. Searching
Advanced Searches
• Search using keywords or phrases.
• May be narrowed by using limiters, Boolean operators, and field codes.
Limiters
• Narrow down the number of results
• Makes the list of results more useful.
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5. Continued searching
Limiters• Full Text• Publication date range• Publication type• Source type• Multimedia images
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5. Searching continued
Boolean Operators
…AND…
…OR… …NOT…
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5. Other searches
Subject Term Search
1. Go to EBSCOhost’s Academic Search Complete.
2. Select Subject Terms at the top of the screen.
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Try it!
Discussion questions
What were some of the controlled vocabulary words and phrases?
Did any of the words or phrases seem as though they would help to narrow the results?
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Interpreting the Results
• Limit or expand results?• Product: result list of articles • View the detailed citation/summary.
Use abstract Go to full text
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Citation
Detailed citation contains:• Article abstract• Source name • Document type
Article Book Newspaper Dissertation Other content
• Subject terms
• Use it!
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Narrowing, refining, revising
Narrow subject using Source types or Subject
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Narrowing, refining, revising
• Search the Subject Thesaurus
• Add limiters
• Use Advanced Search option
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Brainstorm and Suggest
• Too many results
• Too few results
• Irrelevant results
• Additional techniques?
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Viewing the Final Results
View results list - Patron decides which resources are acceptable.
Click title in result list and view citation/summary
OR
Click “full text” link for the article. Displays in HTML or PDF
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Viewing the Final Results
a. Print
b. Email
c. Save
d. Cite
e. Export
f. EBSCO folder• Create a folder by signing in• Save material up to 18 months
a. b. c. d. e. f.
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Discussion
• Electronic databases vs print resources
• Electronic databases vs. free internet search engines
• Types of full-text formats?
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Lesson Summary
Components of reference interview; why it is a vital step
When to use databases rather than Web search engines or print sources
How to access all TexShare databases How to formulate a search strategy; types of
searches; database limiting features; basic & advanced search techniques.
How to create & use a personal EBSCO folder.
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