Searching for Information and Library Databases

Knowing… When When Where Where How to find information isn’t easy How to find information isn’t easy

Important to understand How the time of an event can determine what has been published and where. How the time of an event can determine what has been published and where. The difference between searching a web search engine and searching a library database. The difference between searching a web search engine and searching a library database. Strategies for constructing an effective search in a library database. Strategies for constructing an effective search in a library database.

The Information Time Line

Web Search Engines Excellent source for finding information like Excellent source for finding information like Current news Current news Government statistics Government statistics Company Annual Reports Company Annual Reports Consumer Health Information Consumer Health Information Etc. Etc.

Web Search Engines Continued Also good tools for finding primary source materials that libraries and archives have digitized and made available on the Web. Also good tools for finding primary source materials that libraries and archives have digitized and made available on the Web. Example: UNC’s Documenting the American South. Example: UNC’s Documenting the American South. Searchable through Google, DocSouth includes letters, diaries, slave narratives, war propaganda posters, and much more, offering Southern perspectives on American history, literature, and culture. Searchable through Google, DocSouth includes letters, diaries, slave narratives, war propaganda posters, and much more, offering Southern perspectives on American history, literature, and culture.

Library Databases Search engines retrieve vast quantities of information. Search engines retrieve vast quantities of information. But even greater amount of data not found via search engines. But even greater amount of data not found via search engines. Online catalogs, web-based databases, and print and online indexes. Online catalogs, web-based databases, and print and online indexes. provide access to information found in scholarly journal articles, books, country and industry reports, news backfiles, and much more. provide access to information found in scholarly journal articles, books, country and industry reports, news backfiles, and much more.

Library Databases Continued EbscoHost's Academic Search Premier, Lexis/Nexis Academic, and ProQuest's New York Times Historical EbscoHost's Academic Search Premier, Lexis/Nexis Academic, and ProQuest's New York Times Historical provide the full text of journal and newspaper articles provide the full text of journal and newspaper articles electronic access to an increasing number of full-text books and articles, library catalogs, databases, and indexes also provide access to the vast amount of information that is still available only in print. electronic access to an increasing number of full-text books and articles, library catalogs, databases, and indexes also provide access to the vast amount of information that is still available only in print. Web still holds only a fraction of the world's published information. Web still holds only a fraction of the world's published information. The overwhelming majority is still held in libraries and archives around the world. The overwhelming majority is still held in libraries and archives around the world.

Selecting Search Terms Think about the terms and phrases that describe your topic. Think about the terms and phrases that describe your topic. Example: economic impact of AIDS in South Africa Example: economic impact of AIDS in South Africa Now think about whether there are other terms that could also describe your topic, including: Now think about whether there are other terms that could also describe your topic, including: Synonyms Synonyms Related terms Related terms Or words or phrases that have similar meaning. Or words or phrases that have similar meaning.

Connecting Keywords In search engines In search engines You can simply enter your keywords and phrases and let the search engine do the work. You can simply enter your keywords and phrases and let the search engine do the work. In Databases In Databases You may use Boolean Operators. You may use Boolean Operators.

Boolean Operators Used to broaden or narrow searches Used to broaden or narrow searches And: used to narrow search and find where keywords intersect. And: used to narrow search and find where keywords intersect. Aids and South Africa Aids and South Africa Or: Used to broaden search. Good to use when multiple keywords can be used to describe topic. Or: Used to broaden search. Good to use when multiple keywords can be used to describe topic. Aids OR Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Aids OR Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Connecting Keywords continued Boolean Operators use in databases Boolean Operators use in databases (aids OR hiv OR Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) AND south africa (aids OR hiv OR Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) AND south africa Most databases allow for Boolean use in “Basic” search and in advance search pages. Most databases allow for Boolean use in “Basic” search and in advance search pages. Some databases have more than one seach box that are connected by Boolean operators (AND and OR). This can make constructing your search easier as you don't have to set up the entire "equation" on one line, which eliminates the need for parentheses. Some databases have more than one seach box that are connected by Boolean operators (AND and OR). This can make constructing your search easier as you don't have to set up the entire "equation" on one line, which eliminates the need for parentheses.

Truncation and Wildcards Maybe used to broaden a search. Maybe used to broaden a search. Especially if you’re having a hard time getting results Especially if you’re having a hard time getting results Usually take the form of: Usually take the form of: ?!$* ?!$* Truncation example: Truncation example: comput* searches for computer, computers, computing, computation, etc. comput* searches for computer, computers, computing, computation, etc. Wildcard example: Wildcard example: wom?n searches for woman, women, and womyn. Each question mark replaces exactly one letter. wom?n searches for woman, women, and womyn. Each question mark replaces exactly one letter. w??k will return records with any term that begins with w and ends with k with two characters in between, such as work, week, walk. w??k will return records with any term that begins with w and ends with k with two characters in between, such as work, week, walk. Can produce unintended results. Can produce unintended results. Truncating a word like cat* retrieves cat, cats, cattle, catalog, catastrophic, and so on. Truncating a word like cat* retrieves cat, cats, cattle, catalog, catastrophic, and so on. You might want to start your search without truncation or wildcards and only later decide to use them. You might want to start your search without truncation or wildcards and only later decide to use them.

What Database should I Use? E-Resources Tools E-Resources Tools Library databases and indexes are the best tools to use to find articles on a specific topic. The UNC-Chapel Hill libraries offer an extensive list of databases and indexes on a wide range of subjects. On the library's homepage, click on the link entitled E-Research Tools. Library databases and indexes are the best tools to use to find articles on a specific topic. The UNC-Chapel Hill libraries offer an extensive list of databases and indexes on a wide range of subjects. On the library's homepage, click on the link entitled E-Research Tools.

What Database Should I Use? On the E-Research Tools page, there are several easy ways to get to a specific database. If you know the name of the database you'd like to access, you can use the alphabetical list to go directly to it. You can also browse recommended databases within a subject by clicking on any of the subject links. You can also find a short list of "Frequently Used" databases on the right side of the page. On the E-Research Tools page, there are several easy ways to get to a specific database. If you know the name of the database you'd like to access, you can use the alphabetical list to go directly to it. You can also browse recommended databases within a subject by clicking on any of the subject links. You can also find a short list of "Frequently Used" databases on the right side of the page. Not sure where to start? Ask a librarian. Not sure where to start? Ask a librarian.

Accessing Article Text

When the full text of the article is not available in the database or index you are searching, you may see the following icon: When the full text of the article is not available in the database or index you are searching, you may see the following icon: When you see this icon, you can click to see if the UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries have the full text of the article through another database or subscription. When you see this icon, you can click to see if the UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries have the full text of the article through another database or subscription.

Finding Journals