Use ERIC to find Research ReportsUse Detailed records to evaluate

itemsUse the Subject Thesaurus

1. Go to http://library.olivet.edu

2. Click on databases link

3. Click on “ERIC (FirstSearch)”

ERIC FirstSearch indexes journal articles as well as the reports and

dissertations in ERIC.gov.

Enter your webmail username and password.

Type your search terms and click on search

Keyword – searchesTitle, abstract, document

When you search by “keyword” the database is looking for that word in a title, abstract, subject, or anywhere in the text. It is a

very broad search.We need a better search strategy.

Use Publication Type to limit your results to research reports.

Click on the “Searching” tab to return to the search screen.

Changing “keyword” to

subject or descriptor will

narrow the search.

Sometimes title is good, too.

Peer-reviewed journal articles or SHORT ERIC (ED) reports are your

best options. **

Click on the title for more information

Fewer than 50 results

is a good number.

Learn all you can from the information on the screen.

PDF=picture of the article as it appears in the

paper copyHTML=is just

the print.

Olivet owns in paper so if there is no full text link, email ill@olivet.edu to

email it to you. Always note the number of pages.

Use the Abstract (the summary of the article) and the “descriptors” to decide if this item is appropriate for

your research.

Indexers have assigned these terms to describe the item.

Notice: Your search terms are highlighted.

E-Mail or print the citation

View, print, or e-mail the full-text

If you aren’t sure about this one,

mark it and re-evaluate it

later.

Click here to get back to the results list

Use the buttons on the record, not your Browser “Back”. This keeps your search active and avoids an annoying time-out.

Watch for this link, too!

If there is not a full text link click on

“Check for full text”.

Still cannot get to the full-text? Use ILL

(free service).

You must put information inthe starred fields…

Use the comments field if you are in panic mode or need help finding more information!

Items are ordered within 24 hours (M-F),

and usually only take a few days

to come in.

They will be sent to your email unless you

specify otherwise.

Your ILL confirmation

Click here to do a new search

Make sure you see that green message!!!!

Search the official list of ERIC descriptors

Your searches will be most effective if you think like the indexer!

Type your keyword to see if it is an ERIC Descriptor and click “Find”. Experiment with synonyms.

Then click “expand” to get related descriptors.

active learning

NOTE: “teacher as facilitator” is NOT a descriptor in ERIC. Use “active

learning”!