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DATABASE ORIENTATION: Home Page

A guide to understanding and using the university's databases

Complete Each Step In The Programme By Using The Tabs

What is this Database Orientation programme about?  The Four Steps to the Database Orientation Program
This programme takes you through each step in learning about the databases at the university.
Step One starts with an introduction to the common features of a database.
Step Two moves onto formulating search strategies for databases.
Step Three is learning about the DelphiS database.
Step Four is looking at specific subject databases and applying your knowledge in searching in specific subject databases.
 
Why Complete this Tutorial?
Understanding the common features of a database provides you with the knowledge that is applicable to other databases.
You will be using more than one database when you do research.
The more you know about a database, the more time you will save in the research process. 

 

Learning Outcomes  
After completing the programme you should be able to:
  • Identify keywords in a topic to use for searching in a subject database
  • Determine the correct use of applying search tools to keywords in a subject database
  • Construct a search statement to use in a subject database
 
How long will each section take to accomplish?  
Each section will take about 10 minutes.

 

Who do I contact for more information?  
Contact us for more information. 

 

Please complete the Feedback form when you complete the programme.

 

Navigating the programme
Use the tabs in this box to navigate through the programme.

 

Go to the Step One tab.

The Four Steps to the Database Orientation Program

What is a database?

A database is an organised collection of data, which can be facts, statistics and information.

What goes into a database is determined by its purpose, subject, and the potential users of the database.

What you get out of a database is determined by the way you use it.

This session is about understanding databases and how you can make the most of using them. 

 

Complete the Introduction to Databases PowerPoint. It will download when you select the link. The PowerPoint has audio, so you may need to adjust your volume.

Now Go to the Step Two tab.

The Four Steps to the Database Orientation Program
Search Strategies
Search Strategies are the way you search in a database.
Learn how you can save time by having an efficient search strategy.

 

 

First view the Search Strategies tutorial.

 

Then take a look at completed mind map and the worksheet below.

Now go to the Step Three tab.

The Four Steps to the Database Orientation ProgramDelphiS database

There are many databases at the university for you to use.

DelphiS is a database that uses the EBSCO interface.

Learn more about DelphiS in this interactive tutorial

Then vew the videos below to learn about the Basic and Advance searching in Delphis

Go to the Step Four tab when you have completed the videos.

Basic Searching on EBSCOhost - Tutorial from EBSCO on Vimeo.

Advanced Searching on EBSCOhost - Tutorial from EBSCO on Vimeo.

The Four Steps to the Database Orientation ProgramSubject Guides

To view the full tutorials on these and other databases, go to your subject guide where you will find the databases specific to your subject area.

To view the tutorial for the subject database, look for the icon  next to the name of the subject database on the subject guide.

Please to the Feedback tab and fill out the Feedback form when you have completed the programme.

 
Below is a short introduction to the Web of Science database

Web of Science was previously called the Web of Knowledge. It provides access to a number of databases including Web of Science Core Collection (covering engineering, science, health, social science, humanities, etc.), BIOSIS (biological & biomedical science) and Inspec (physics, computing, electrical & electronic engineering, etc.). When you use the Web of Science, select 'All Databases’ to search multiple databases simultaneously or choose an individual database.

 

Web of Science

1.  Search Fields in the Web of Science

Get to know the various fields to search in when using the Web of Science database.

2.  Web of Science PowerPoint Tutorial

Complete this tutorial that includes audio and video.

When the message box appears, be sure to check the box that has the option of enabling external content for the session.

You will need it for viewing the videos in the tutorial. Please note that there may be a slight delay in playing the videos.

3.  Web of Science Test

Complete the short test on the Web of Science database

4. Transcript

The transcript for Test Yourself on the Web of Science Database

Please fill out the Feedback form when you have completed the programme.