Three Sources for Research

Databases

Web

Books

Where do you go for:

Books – Library Catalog or Follett Shelf

(ebooks)

Web – Search Engine like Google (free)

Databases – Through the Library Website

(subscription only)

Research Databases

What They Are: What They Aren’t:

• Specific to a subject• By experts or journalists• Designed for students•Magazines, newspapers, book articles, radio & TV broadcasts

•Free•Searchable in Google or other search engine

Check out• Advanced search

options, tabs, or search within results

• Email to self & print-friendly options

• Citations provided for copy & paste

• Each one is a little different

• Be specific with keywords (the less words you type, the better)

Advanced Searching Diagram

from ithacalibrary.com

Database Searching vs. Google Searching

Databases need specific keywords for good results.

You may also have to think of “like” words if you fail the first time.

Take a question like:

What are the different types of bullying?

What keywords would you search?

bullying

types

Are there differences in the bullying experiences of girls and boys?

What keywords would you search?

boys OR

girls

differences

bullying

gender

differences

bullying

There is no right or wrong answer.

If at first you don’t succeed, try a different keyword or

combination.

Go to: libguides.montytech.net