TexShare Databases Basic Reference Lesson 1

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

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TexShare Databases Program

Using TexShare Databases for Basic Reference

Lesson 1: The Search Process


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Introduction

MasterFILE PremierAcademic Search CompleteBusiness Source CompleteNewspaper SourceConsumer Health Complete

How to use the most common TexShare databases for basic reference in the public libraries:


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Reasons for using the TexShare Databases

Access to high quality, accurate information

Free Able to conduct focused searches using

limiters and expanders Has both historical and up-to-date

information No shelf space required Search many sources at once


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Reasons for using the TexShare Databases

Portable information Print Save Email Copy/paste material Appropriate citations


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Lesson 1: The Search Process

Steps of the search process

1. Conduct a reference interview

2. Formulate a search strategy

3. Access the databases

4. Identify appropriate databases

5. Perform the search


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1. Conducting the Reference Interview

• Information need

• Purpose or desired outcome

• Type and amount of information needed

• Types of sources needed• The patron’s knowledge of

the subject

• Previous searching efforts

• Project deadline • Teacher demands for

types of materials, if any

• Final product – report, essay, debate, poster, etc.

Determine


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1. Interview continued….

Remember!

Communicate with the patron in a receptive and polite manner

Avoid using jargon

Make sure the query you enter into the database is free of spelling or other errors

Explain the search strategy and sources

Help to narrow or broaden the search as needed


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2. Formulating a Search Strategy

Keyword

Phrase

Subject term


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Try it!

Homelessness

Alternative energy sources

Health care reform


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3. Accessing the Databases

http://www.libraryoftexas.org/


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4. Identify the appropriate databases

General Information and Periodicals • Academic Search Complete (EBSCO)• MasterFILE Premier (EBSCO)• Newspaper Source (EBSCO)• Psychology and Behavioral Science

Collection (EBSCO)• Religion and Philosophy Collection

(EBSCO)


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4. Databases, continued…..

Homework and Education • Primary Search (EBSCO Searchasaurus

and Kids Search) • Middle Search (EBSCO Kids Search,

Student Research Center)• MAS Ultra (EBSCO Student Research

Center)• ERIC - Education Resource Information

Center (EBSCO) • Professional Development Collection

(EBSCO)


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4. More databases…..

History and Genealogy • Texas Reference Center (EBSCO)• World History Collection (EBSCO)• Military and Government Collection (EBSCO)• Handbook of Texas• HeritageQuest Online• Texas Digital Sanborn Maps


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4. Still more databases…..

Health and Medical• Health Source: Consumer Edition

(EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)• Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition

(EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)• Natural and Alternative Treatments

(EBSCO Consumer Health Complete)• Health and Wellness Resource Center• Health Reference Center Academic


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4. Even more databases…..

Business Resources• Business Source Complete (EBSCO)• Newspaper Source (EBSCO)• Regional Business News (EBSCO)


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4. Yet more databases…..

Books and Literature• 20th Century Poetry Collections• Contemporary Authors• Contemporary Literary Criticism• Dictionary of Literary Biography• Literature Resource Center with

Scribner and Twayne’s• WorldCat


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Try it!

a. Go to a Public Library website; find a list of databases including the TexShare resources.

b. Click on the TexShare icon to see a list of available resources.


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c. Click on the Complete List of Databases link


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d. Now click on All EBSCO Databases


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5. Perform the Search

Basic Searches • Contain one or more keywords or

phrases. • Use quotation marks to keep words

within a phrase together when searching.


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5. Searching

Advanced Searches

• Search using keywords or phrases.

• May be narrowed by using limiters, Boolean operators, and field codes.

Limiters

• Narrow down the number of results

• Makes the list of results more useful.


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5. Continued searching

Limiters• Full Text• Publication date range• Publication type• Source type• Multimedia images


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5. Searching continued

Boolean Operators

…AND…

…OR… …NOT…


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5. Other searches

Subject Term Search

1. Go to EBSCOhost’s Academic Search Complete.

2. Select Subject Terms at the top of the screen.


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Try it!

Discussion questions

What were some of the controlled vocabulary words and phrases?

Did any of the words or phrases seem as though they would help to narrow the results?


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Interpreting the Results

• Limit or expand results?• Product: result list of articles • View the detailed citation/summary.

Use abstract Go to full text


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Citation

Detailed citation contains:• Article abstract• Source name • Document type

Article Book Newspaper Dissertation Other content

• Subject terms

• Use it!


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Narrowing, refining, revising

Narrow subject using Source types or Subject


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Narrowing, refining, revising

• Search the Subject Thesaurus

• Add limiters

• Use Advanced Search option


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Brainstorm and Suggest

• Too many results

• Too few results

• Irrelevant results

• Additional techniques?


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Viewing the Final Results

View results list - Patron decides which resources are acceptable.

Click title in result list and view citation/summary

OR

Click “full text” link for the article. Displays in HTML or PDF


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Viewing the Final Results

a. Print

b. Email

c. Save

d. Cite

e. Export

f. EBSCO folder• Create a folder by signing in• Save material up to 18 months

a. b. c. d. e. f.


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Discussion

• Electronic databases vs print resources

• Electronic databases vs. free internet search engines

• Types of full-text formats?


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Lesson Summary

Components of reference interview; why it is a vital step

When to use databases rather than Web search engines or print sources

How to access all TexShare databases How to formulate a search strategy; types of

searches; database limiting features; basic & advanced search techniques.

How to create & use a personal EBSCO folder.


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