Using InfoTrac Databases Jackson Community College Atkinson Library

Using InfoTrac Databases InfoTrac is a group of databases.InfoTrac is a group of databases. The databases are subject-The databases are subject- or age-group specific. Many contain full-text articles.Many contain full-text articles.

Using InfoTrac Databases Begin your use of InfoTrac on the Library’s home page. Click here

Using InfoTrac Databases

There are 18 databases from which to choose. Familiarize yourself with the databases and their purposes.

Using InfoTrac Databases …familiarize yourself with the databases and their purposes.

Using InfoTrac Databases If needed, consult with a Reference Librarian for guidance in choosing databases.

How to Start Searching a Gale Group Database

Each database listed in the menu has the following features: A database name. A date range. A short database description A link labeled Start searching An icon, or picture, just to the left of the database name and description.

Searching a Gale Group Database Once you have selected a database, you should familiarize yourself with the features on the screen. You can mouse over the items on the left- hand menu to get a description of the function of each link.

Searching a Gale Group Database Here’s how you can search.

Searching a Gale Group Database Subject Guide Search Find articles by topic. Journal SearchJournal SearchFind all available articles in a specific issue of a journal or newspaper. The results list displays in page number order. Advanced SearchAdvanced SearchFind articles by using any of several indexes, alone or in combination. Keyword SearchKeyword SearchFind articles by matching words in titles, citations, and abstracts, or in the entire text. The result list runs from newest to oldest. Relevance SearchRelevance SearchFind articles by matching words in titles, citations, and abstracts, or in the entire text. The result list starts with the best matches according to how and where the words occur in articles.

Searching a Gale Group Database Let’s do a sample Subject Guide search in the Expanded Academic ASAP database.

Searching a Gale Group Database Enter your topic in the search box and click on Search.

Searching a Gale Group Database You can limit your search using the options available.

Searching a Gale Group Database Examine your results screen. You have several options.

Searching a Gale Group Database Entries are displayed in groups, and in alphabetical order within each group. First are the entries in which your search word(s) comes first. Next are the entries in which your word(s) comes second, and so on.

Searching a Gale Group Database To select a Subject Guide entry, click on its link: A main Subject Guide entry leads to a list of citations A subdivision link leads to another Subject Guide page with a list of specific aspects of the main entry A related subject link leads to another Subject Guide page with entries for the related subject.

Searching a Gale Group Database Other items relevant to your search may be displayed.

Searching a Gale Group Database Once you have performed a search, you will see a Dictionary link in the left- hand column. To look up a word on the screen, highlight the word, then click on the Dictionary link.

Searching a Gale Group Database Highlight the word, then click on the Dictionary link, and the word will be copied automatically to the dictionary entry spaces. Then click on OK.

Searching a Gale Group Database The definition closest to the word you chose will be displayed.

Using the results of a search. Let’s examine the results of the sample search.

Using the results of a search. Results are displayed with the most recent listed first.

Using the results of a search. Each entry includes a link to an article’s citation information, or to full text.

Using the results of a search. The title of each item links to the content of the full record. A record might include as little as a brief citation or as much as full text and graphics, depending on the collection you're searching and the rights that have been negotiated.

Using the results of a search. At the left, near the beginning of the record, you'll see a Mark box. Click on the box to save the record for later action. Select the View mark list link in the left-hand column any time you want to see what's on your list.

Using the results of a search. Text links will take you to the full text that is available. Not all articles are lengthy; check the word count for the lengths that best suit your need.

Using the results of a search. When you have located an article that meets your need, you have options for working with that article. You can Print, , or Retrieve a PDF (document pre- formatted).

Using the results of a search. Clicking on Print reformats your item for printing. Use the Back button to return to the unformatted screen.

Using the results of a search. Clicking on or Retrieve allows you to the text, or to print the article as a PDF, formatted as in the original publication.

Searching a Gale Group Database. The Relevance search is a simple yet effective way to search for articles. It looks for words and word variants, alone and in combination. Relevance search is most effective when two or more search terms are entered.

Searching a Gale Group Database. To conduct a Relevance search: Click on the entry box Enter one or more words Click on Search Boolean and logical operators (and, or, not) cannot be used in Relevance Search. Instead, use the following special characters to modify your search terms:

Searching a Gale Group Database. Here is a sample Relevance search. The terms are formatted so that they match “stem cell” exactly but DO NOT include the term “research.”

Searching a Gale Group Database. Comparing these results with those from the previous example, the articles relating to “Research” are now absent from the results list.

Searching a Gale Group Database Here is a sample Keyword search in Expanded Academic ASAP.

Searching a Gale Group Database Notice the size of the results list. By using Keyword instead of Subject searching, the number of hits is greater but may be less relevant.

Searching a Gale Group Database Remember, a Keyword search will find articles by matching words in titles, citations, and abstracts, or in the entire text. a Subject search will find articles by topic.

Searching a Gale Group Database Here is a sample Advanced search in Expanded Academic ASAP. It will find articles by using any of several indexes, alone or in combination.

Searching a Gale Group Database This method of searching offers the most options and the greatest flexibility in formatting your search.

Searching a Gale Group Database Choose Advanced search if you need to be very specific in stating your research question. Searcher wants only the current year’s articles. Searcher wants only this particular journal

Searching a Gale Group Database You may use Journal search to search the contents of a magazine or journal.

Searching a Gale Group Database Information about the journal you selected will be displayed.

Searching a Gale Group Database The most recent year available is listed first. Click on a year or an issue to begin searching.

Searching a Gale Group Database Your choices are listed at the top, and the available contents are listed in page order.

Citing an article from InfoTrac InfoTrac citations are not official bibliographic citations. To cite an article from InfoTrac, use a standard style for notes and bibliography entries. The following are examples of two styles for the way citations from InfoTrac should appear in a bibliography or a works cited page. Keep in mind that there are other styles. Also keep in mind that double spacing and underlining rather than italics might both be preferred. Always check with your instructor for style preferences.

Citing an article from InfoTrac Whichever style is used, a citation from InfoTrac will generally contain the following: author (if applicable) title name of publication publication information pages or indication of length source (InfoTrac) Accession or article number if possible download date

Citing an article from InfoTrac Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Davidson, Paul. "Globalization." Journal of Post Keynesian Economics 24 (2002): Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale Group Databases. College of Staten Island Lib., NY.15 Apr "Ethiopia." Map. Rand McNally Maps Student Edition. Gale Group Databases. Roosevelt High School Lib., Roosevelt, NY. 15 May Mauch II, Thomas H. "Researchers Identify Alzheimer's Enzyme Inhibitor." Los Angeles Times 13 Apr. 2000: B2. InfoTrac Custom Newspapers. Gale Group Databases. Mililani Public Lib., HI. 18 Apr National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stroke: Hope Through Research. Pamphlet. May Health Reference Center Academic. Gale Group Databases. Laney College Lib., Oakland, CA. 18 Sep "Pennsylvania State Agencies Finalize Plan to Monitor for West Nile Virus." PR Newswire 7 Apr InfoTrac OneFile Gale Group Databases. College of San Mateo Lib., CA. 18 June See for further information and updates.

Citing an article from InfoTrac American Psychological Association (APA) Style Battersby, John (1999, May 10). Nelson Mandela's Moral Legacy. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved November 21, 2001, from InfoTrac Web InfoTrac OneFile CJ Food Preservation (2000). The Columbia Encyclopedia (Edition 6) Retrieved February 14, 2002, from InfoTrac Web General Reference Center Gold A Gremillion, Kristen J. (1996). Early agricultural diet in North America: evidence from two Kentucky rock shelters. American Antiquity, 61(3), 520. Retrieved March 17, 2002, from InfoTrac Web Expanded Academic ASAP. A See the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or for further information and updates.

Using Help files in InfoTrac Help files are available from every screen in InfoTrac The Help information given will be relevant to the screen on which you are working. From any Help page, you can get the complete Help Index.

Using InfoTrac Databases As you work with InfoTrac, please contact a Reference Librarian if you would like help or advice: Atkinson Library, Walker Hall 1 st floor Call Fax They are there to help you!

Using InfoTrac Databases Atkinson Library