Subscription Databases

Presented by: Redouane SabbarLibrary Media Specialist @ Franklin High School

Subscription Databases

Presented by: Redouane SabbarLibrary Media Specialist @ Franklin High School

Franklin Summer AcademyJune 16 - June 19, 2009

Franklin Summer AcademyJune 16 - June 19, 2009

Learning TargetsLearning Targets

• Understand the difference between subscription databases and public domain information

• Apply online search methods efficiently

• Incorporate reliable information from databases into lesson plans

BadgerlinkBadgerlink

• A state-wide DPI initiative that allow Wisconsin residents to access a select number of important subscription databases

• Provides equal access to quality online information resources for Wisconsin residents

• The DPI currently contracts with five vendors– EBSCO– ProQuest – Thomson Gale – NewspaperARCHIVE – TeachingBooks

Electronic Research strategiesElectronic Research strategies

Boolean Search LogicBoolean Search Logic

• AND

• OR

• BUT NOT or NOT

• Truncation and Wild Card

The Boolean ANDThe Boolean AND

cats dogsCats and dogs

The Boolean ORThe Boolean OR

cats dogscats or dogs

The Boolean BUT NOT/NOTThe Boolean BUT NOT/NOT

cats dogs

Complex Booleancats and dogs and fish

Complex Booleancats and dogs and fish

cats dogs

fish

cats dogs fish

Complex Boolean(cats AND dogs) OR fish

cats dogs

fish

Complex Boolean (cats AND dogs) BUT NOT fish

Complex Boolean (cats AND dogs) BUT NOT fish

cats dogs

fish

Truncation or Wild CardTruncation or Wild Card

• wom?n will result in finding women and woman

• teach* will result in finding teach, teacher, teaching, teaches, teachable.

Phrases vs. Grouped WordsPhrases vs. Grouped Words

• “industrial revolution”

is searched as a phrase and will not be

broken apart.

• (industrial or inventions or technology or

machine) and revolution

the search engine will search for any of the words within parentheses and the word revolution.

Domain NamesDomain Names

• .com for commercial• .edu for educational • .gov for government• .mil for military• .net for companies providing networking services• .org for non-profit

Web Site EvaluationWeb Site Evaluation

• Source• Currency• Authority• Reliability• Motive• Depth of coverage• Ease of use

SourceSource

• Know where the information comes from.

links?• Figure out the source of the information.

homepage?

CurrencyCurrency

• Why is currency important?• When was the information originally presented?• How often is it updated?• When was it last revised?• Do the links work?

AuthorityAuthority

• The author’s background• Site design• Attention to detail• Multiple citations

ReliabilityReliability

• You want to know whether the links work and whether the site will be around next week.

MotiveMotive

• What is the purpose of the site?

- persuade?

- inform?

- explain?

- sell?

Depth of CoverageDepth of Coverage

• Can you find information specific to your topic and is it well explained and cited?

Ease of UseEase of Use

• Is the page well designed?• Can you tell what to do when you get there or

for whom the pages are intended?• Are there unnecessary animations?• Does the background enhance or distract from

the content?

Searching for ArticlesSearching for Articles

• Your best sources for articles that are reliable is one of the professional databases available on www.badgerlink.net