SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY ::

Research Strategies

:: The Library

:: Search Strategy

:: Topic

:: The Web

:: Scholarly?

:: Reference

:: Catalogs

:: Articles

:: Databases I

:: Databases II

:: Databases III

:: Databases IV

:: Quick Search

:: Evaluation

:: Plagiarism

:: Citing

Research Databases II -- Simple Searching
Retrieving online articles or other electronic resources from a research database is quick and easy.

Beginning the Search
All research databases present a "window" in which users can type a search term. Specialized databases may offer customized searching options. In this example of a music database, "Disc or Composition title" and "Composer or Artist" are special options.

Search Window

Keyword Searches
Entering a keyword, such as INSURANCE, or a phrase, such as UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, and clicking the SEARCH button or <enter> on the keyboard will produce a results list. Results lists may be in reverse chronological order (most recent item first) or in relevance order (most significant item first.)

Results List

The Full Record
In most research databases, clicking the title of an article will cause the full record for the article to display.

Full Record

Rounded Rectangular Callout: This is a transcript (the written rendering of an oral broadcast).

In some databases, such as LexisNexis, clicking the title will cause the online article to display.

LexisNexis Full Text

Accessing Online Articles
In most databases, to see online articles, click the HTML FULL TEXT or PDF FULL TEXT link, or click

FIND IT!

Results List

OLinks

FIND IT! opens an OLinks window. If the article is online, a clickable link will appear. If Clark Library subscribes, our local holdings information will appear.

OLinks Screen

If an article is not available in hard copy in the Library or in electronic full text, request it via InterLibrary Loan.

Limiting by Publication Type
In the EBSCO databases, you can filter the results to see only a particular type of publication (academic journals, magazines, newspapers, etc.) by clicking the icon at the top of the results list.

Limits by Publication Type

Locating More Articles Using the Subject
In catalogs and research databases, each full record includes a field that identifies the subject(s). When you find a record that is perfect for your research, you can move from a keyword to a subject heading search by clicking on the "best" subject heading. This will generate a new list of results; each item in the new list will be about that subject.

Subjects in Full Record

Help
Because many different companies produce catalogs and research databases, you will notice differences in the screens, command keys, and functions. Guides to most catalogs and databases are available online. Look for HELP or SEARCH TIPS -- or ask a librarian for assistance.

For tutorials that will teach you to use specific databases, see our webpage Tutorials, Guides, Tips, and Help.

To go to the next page in the Research Strategies tutorial, click Databases III.

Need Help?

Get help via IM, email (Reference_Services@Shawnee.edu), or by phoning (740.351.3321).

If you prefer face-to-face assistance, stop by the Clark Memorial Library Reference Counter or schedule a Research Consultation with a Reference Librarian.

Academics	Future Students	Current Students	Faculty/Staff	Alumni/Friends	Parents
Home> Offices> Clark Memorial Library>