1. WUCT001 Tertiary Academic Skills Library Skills Class 2: Databases Melanie Thompson, Wollongong College Australia Librarian

2. In the last class… We looked at: Search strategies Dictionaries Encyclopedias Books Journals

3. By the end of this class you will be able to: Use databases and Article Finder to find journal articles Use the Australian Bureau of Statistics website (ABS) to find statistics Identify academic journal articles.

4. What is a database? A database is a search engine used to find journal articles. Our Library databases allow you to access many academic/scholarly resources that are not freely available on the Internet.

5. Databases Information types Journal articles Newspaper articles Much more … Features Current information Specialisation Search capabilities Electronic access Why use databases?

6. Databases Vs the Internet… What’s the Difference?

7. Searching Databases Databases are very large containing millions of articles To locate information effectively we need to: –Use keywords and alternative keywords –Use connectors AND/OR effectively –Use truncation

8. Sample Essay Question from last class Reminder! KEYWORDSALTERNATIVE KEYWORDS health hazards asthma lung cancer smoking tobacco cigarettes nicotine teenagers adolescents youth young adults Discuss the health hazards of smoking for teenagers.

9. Connecting Words and Truncation Are used to improve your search strategy!

10. health hazards AND AND smoking

11. KEYWORDSALTERNATIVE KEYWORDS health hazards asthma lung cancer smoking tobacco cigarettes nicotine teenagers adolescents youth young adults Sample Question Discuss the health hazards of smoking for teenagers. AND

12. Teenagers OR Adolescents OR

13. KEYWORDSALTERNATIVE KEYWORDS health hazards Asthma Lung cancer smoking Tobacco Cigarettes nicotine teenagers Adolescents Youth Young adults Identifying Keywords Discuss the health hazards of smoking for teenagers. AND OR

14. Truncation Used to find different word endings e.g. Smok* Smoke Smokes Smoker Smoking

15. educate educates educated educating education educational educator educate* educate educated educates educat* Using Truncation What word or words will I find?

16. ProQuest Central

17. Activity: STEP 1 on your worksheet Search ProQuest Central for journal articles on your topic. Remember to limit to scholarly journals.

18. Try more than one database!

19. Article Finder! A different way to search for journal articles Searches across multiple databases for you at the same time!

20. Activity STEP 2 on your worksheet Try a search in Article Finder for information on your essay question.

21. Article Finder Searches across multiple databases at the same time Keyword or advanced search options Clusters and sorts results Available through catalogue or WCA Library guide Tip! Start broad then refine!

22. Also known as scholarly or peer reviewed Author’s listed Abstract Reference List Specialised audience Technical language Little or no advertising or pictures Academic Journal Articles Reminder!

23. Use the ‘Finding Academic Journals’ guide to decide.  Library homepage  Resources for Assignments  WCA  How do I find? Academic journals Did you find Academic Articles?

24. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Website is a useful place to start when looking for statistics on a topic related to Australia.  Library homepage  Databases: journal articles and more  A  ABS Website ABS Website

26. What we have covered today How to search databases for journal articles. How to search the ABS site for themes.

27. StartSmart: Essential Academic Information Skills Remember to complete this by week 4. It is compulsory and will help you with your assignments!

28. IN PERSON Research Help Desk Information Desk ONLINE Resources for Assignments WCA Library Guide Resources by topic Start smart! Online tutorials Email A Librarian Need more help?