1. Database Searching A look at the Virtual Learning Commons and beyond
May 30, 2016
Richard Halfyard
Learning Commons Informationalist

2. Order of Presentation Database Searching The Virtual Learning Commons
Database: Research in Context
Example: Fahrenheit 451
Database: Infotrac Power Search
Example: Academic OneFile and Academic General OneFile
Information Guides
Example: Grade 10 English
Searching outside the VLC

3. Database Searching What is a Database? Search Aides
“A large, regularly updated file of digitized information (bibliographic records, abstracts, full-text documents, directory entries, images, statistics, etc.) related to a specific subject or field, consisting of records of uniform format organized for ease and speed of search and retrieval and managed with the aid of database management system (DBMS) software” ODLIS
Search Aides
Boolean Operators: and, or, not
Keywords and Phrasing:
Limiters:
Help:

4. The Virtual Learning Commons (VLC)
Discover, Collaborate and Create
Accessibility
Ask Us
Subscription Usernames and Passwords Protection

5. Database: Research In Context
Research in Context gathers information about specific works to provide a detailed background.
Go find “Research in Context” and search Fahrenheit 451
What information can be found?
Did this information shape or alter an opinion of the book? Do you want to read it? If you have read the book do you look at it differently now?
Select another book

6. Database: Infotrac Power Search
A family of databases is a collection of databases provided by one company. The content will vary from database to database.
Gale’s Infotrac
We can narrow the search possibilities by selecting the databases we want to use. Academic OneFile and GeneralOneFile
Searches
Boolean Operators
Terms and Phrasing
Limiters
Help
Sample Search: teens literacy

7. Information Guides
Information Guides, or Subject Guides, are a collection of reference materials about specific subject areas.
LCI’s throughout UCDSB create and maintain the guides using a specific library software.
Highlights
English and Grade 10 English
The OWL
Other subjects of interest?

8. Searching outside the VLC
Sometimes it is necessary to search outside the VLC. The search rules remain the same. You want a specific search while maintaining an acceptable research standard.
Boolean operators, limiters and phrasing can help narrow your search results.
Database Example: Google Scholar
Database Example: ERIC

9. Thank you for the invite
The End
Thank you for the invite