Databases Post-Graduate Workshop 2011 Letitia Lekay

Outcomes 1. Understand what a database is 2. Abbreviations of the alphabet of the databases 3. Where to locate & how to access the database 4. Know the database subject coverage 5. Understand types of databases (i.e. bibliographic, full-text, subject-specific, multidisciplinary) 6. Conceptualise the search process (in terms of available strategies, options, keywords and subject headings) 7. Know how to search subject-specific databases 8. Retrieval options (print, , save, export, cite)

Techniques and Tips for Online Database Searching In most instances, electronic databases will offer a variety of search and browse options to find relevant information on a topic. The different options are: ◦ searching by Author; ◦ searching by Article Title; ◦ using one or more Keywords in combination with Boolean operators; ◦ limiting searches to specific content categories or publications by using the expanded database options

Techniques and Tips for Online Database Searching Explore both the Basic and Advanced Search options by using one or a combination of any of the above search Points to remember: ◦ First construct your search strategy ◦ Enter the search terms in the text boxes provided ◦ Apply the database limiters to refine the search

A database is a index of journal titles, Produced by vendors eg. Elsevier (they produce Science Direct and Scopus. A database can be viewed as a table of rows and columns. The rows are called records, and the column entries are fields;records There are subject specific databases eg. Emerald & a multidisciplinary database eg. Ebscohost Web. Databases are further developed into Fulltext & Abstracts databases. Fulltext database: links you to the fulltext document of the article Abstract database: links you to the summary of the document. What is a Database?

find access Where does one find a database to access it for information information on a topic?

Link to Databases Information Resources Link to list of Research Databases

Various Databases For the purpose of this session, we will select the EBSCOhost platform, Scopus, Scholar Googe,Science Direct & Nexus.

Selecting a resource using the Database List Link to the list of Research Databases A - Lto access to Ebschohost Click “A” to move to the beginning of the list, then scroll down the list for Academic Search Premier

Accessing EBSCOhost Web The EBSCOhost Web platform hosts multiple research databases including Business Source Complete Click to select database Choosing a database To Search multiple databases, tick the boxes next to the databases name then Click continue when selection is complete Click on the database names to search within the database

Search Strategy and Limiters eywords Keywords entered Visual communication AND semiotic AND multimodal Limiters for this search

Search Results 18 Search Results The retrieved results are peer reviewed and published between 2003 and 2010 Citation information on the published item

Search Results NOTE: Article is not full text –you must follow other options to obtain the full document  Check the OPAC for the journal title  Use SFX or the Electronic Journals List  Check SABINET for availability elsewhere in the country Search the OPAC for the journal title Click SFX for services about the title

Search Results and the use of SFX Sometimes the database (which functions as an index to journals, conferences papers, chapters in books, etc.) will provide only an abstract of the article, together with its journal title, page and volume numbers. The databases will help you locate articles on specific subjects or by or about specific authors. The SFX (Special effects) link button on the record will assist you in either tracing an electronic version of the article you are looking for or tell you whether the title is available at UWC in print by taking you directly to the catalogue entry.

Click Folder View to print, , download, export Once one clicks Folder View, the marked citations are listed, i.e. 3 citations Select all or only those you wish to retain Choose the preferred option: Print Download Export

Citations exported will open RefWorks, the bibliographic management system Click Direct Export to RefWorks, the bibliographic manager Click Save Exporting citations

Scopus See Abstract

Scopus See results list Refine results

Science Direct See Full text

Google Scholar Click on dropdown menu to select Scholar Type in keywords & click on Search

Result List See UWC for Full text

Nexus Click on Research Projects Type in User name : zuwc1 Password: uwc

Queries can be directed to your Faculty Librarian Queries can be directed to your Faculty Librarian Letitia Lekay Tel.: Or Theresa Schoeman (P/G & Training Librarian)