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Library Orientation Programme: Literature Databases - Session 2

Subject Databases - Session 2 - Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this section you will be able to

  • Demonstrate the ability to plan and adapt and successfully carry out a search. E.g. by broadening or narrowing, using keywords and synonyms.
  • Identify key sources of information in the subject area or context and have an awareness of different information types

[Level 1 Skill - Finding information in Library Research Skills Framework]

These Learning Outcomes will support you in achieving your module learning outcomes:-

Module SOES1017 Learning Outcome

  • LO5   Communicate scientific concepts effectively through oral and written means to diverse audiences, making use of library resources to substantiate your arguments

Instructions

Instructions

Watch the tutorials and read the information and complete the exercise in the order listed on this page.

You will need to:

  • create a search strategy to find literature for an assignment that you have been set by your tutor..
  • use Web of Science to find 5 references for an assignment that you have been set by your tutor. Email the references to your tutor to confirm that you have completed the exercise.

Why do I need to know about and use databases?

In the previous section you found out about using Library Search to find the items that you have been set to read by your lecturer. As an independent learner your lecturers will expect you to be curious about your subjects and to start looking for and discovering your own academic literature and information too. 

In addition to Library Search, while you are studying at University you have at your fingertips access to a selection of some of the most powerful and sophisticated literature and information search tools in the form of literature databases (also called journal databases, subject databases or library databases).

Literature databases are especially useful for projects and dissertations and provide you with current information on research and development. They allow you to search a wide range of published literature. In addition to journal articles, many also include the details of other types of source material including; conference papers, conference proceedings, reports, government and legal publications and sometimes books and theses. 

The databases allow you to search through thousands of records by the words in the title or abstract, authors names or other criteria. They contain all the details that are necessary for a person to be able to find the source. Some also contain links to the full text of the documents.

Watch this explanatory video (from Yavapai College Library) to discover what we mean by a subject database, and how they will help you with your research.  It examines:

  • what is available on the free web
  • what is available through library databases (subject databases)
  • using library databases for to find credible, good quality information

Preparing to search a database

This learning activity will help you to understand how to prepare an effective search of a database.

(Click on the image to go to the activity.)

By the end of this activity you should be able to:

  • explain what a search strategy is
  • identify key concepts and key words in a search question
  • use search tools and techniques, such as Boolean operators, phrase searching, and wild cards

Allow approximately 16 minutes to complete this learning activity.

Introduction to Web of Science

Now watch this Web of science video to familiarise yourself with key features of using the database [captions are available on the video] [video approximately 16 minutes]

Web of Science practical

Plan a search strategy and then carry out the search on Web of Science for journal articles on your topic.

 

Part 1 - Plan the search

Plan the search strategy to find information for the essay writing assignment title set for SOES1017

You can download and use one of these search planners to help you to capture and plan your search strategy. 

Part 2 -  Carry out the search on Web of Science
  • select 5 items from your list of results that you could read and include in your writing assignment for your module SOES1017. Email the details of the 5 items from Web of Science to your own university email address.
Part 3 - send the results to your Module Lead
  • Forward the email of the 5 items you found from the Web of Science and a copy of your search planner (as an attachment) to the SOES1017 module leader Dr Kerri Dobson
  • Use this text in the subject line of your email to Dr Kerri Dobson:

Library Orientation Programme: Literature Databases - Session 2: references and search planner

This is to show that you have completed this learning activity.

Link to access Web of Science. Remember to select the Core Collection for this activity.

Key Databases for Ocean and Earth Science

Web of Science is a multidisciplinary database and has a wide coverage for the sciences. There are other subject databases which concentrate on recording the literature of a much narrower but more specific area of a subject. The advantage to using these types of subject database is that you will get much more focused results.  These types of subject databases will be particularly helpful when you are finding information for your dissertation or thesis in your third or fourth year at university. It is worth taking a little time to explore what they have to offer.

The key subject databases can be found on the homepage of the Ocean or earth sciences subject guide 

Next

Now go to the Referencing section