How to Access and Search How to Access and Search

Online Reference DatabasesOnline Reference Databases

by Ms. Speerstraby Ms. Speerstra WHS Teacher LibrarianWHS Teacher Librarian

                                                   

What you may already What you may already KNOWKNOW about research…about research…

Nonfiction books are very helpfulNonfiction books are very helpful

The internet may contain untrustworthy The internet may contain untrustworthy sources or incorrect informationsources or incorrect information

You need to find credible informationYou need to find credible information

You need reliable sourcesYou need reliable sources

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What do you What do you WANTWANT to to learn about using an learn about using an online database for online database for

research?research?

You may WANT to know…You may WANT to know…What are databases?What are databases?

Databases are organized collections of Databases are organized collections of information put together in one place information put together in one place and accessible on a computer.and accessible on a computer.

Are databases free?Are databases free?

The databases that require a user name The databases that require a user name and/or password are and/or password are notnot free. Our free. Our school pays the database company for school pays the database company for a subscription to their service. a subscription to their service.

Online databases will help you with Online databases will help you with your research because you will your research because you will

find…find…

Reliable sourcesReliable sources

Credible informationCredible information

Easy to use formatEasy to use format

Current informationCurrent information

Advertisement free articlesAdvertisement free articles

Our school uses databases from Our school uses databases from EBSCOhost. You may want to EBSCOhost. You may want to

know that the EBSCOhost know that the EBSCOhost databases are…databases are…

Easily accessible from Easily accessible from schoolschool computers computersandand

anyany computer with internet access! computer with internet access!

You will just need to know the WHS Ebsco user name and You will just need to know the WHS Ebsco user name and password.password.

Log in information is available in the WHS Library Media Log in information is available in the WHS Library Media Center.Center.

How do you log in to Ebsco?How do you log in to Ebsco?

1. Log in to the WHS library home page at 1. Log in to the WHS library home page at www.whslib.orgwww.whslib.org

2. Click on the “Online Databases” link 2. Click on the “Online Databases” link which will lead you to this pagewhich will lead you to this page

3. Click on the 3. Click on the

Ebsco StudentEbsco Student

Resource linkResource link

To log in to Ebsco at school or at home, To log in to Ebsco at school or at home, enter your user name and password.enter your user name and password.

Remember, you can pick up this information from Remember, you can pick up this information from the WHS Library Media Center. the WHS Library Media Center.

Log in here

Depending on what you want to learn, Depending on what you want to learn, you will select one of the following:you will select one of the following:

Ultra Online Package Ultra Online Package * (Student Resource Center)* (Student Resource Center)

**Use this database package to find newspaper articles, Use this database package to find newspaper articles, magazine articles, and more on current topics and reference.magazine articles, and more on current topics and reference.

Literary Reference Center Literary Reference Center ***Use to find information about authors, books, *Use to find information about authors, books,

literary criticism and reference.literary criticism and reference.

Ultra Online Package Ultra Online Package (alternate interface)(alternate interface) ** * Use this if you want to search in a specific database * Use this if you want to search in a specific database

Search terms are something Search terms are something you will want to know about.you will want to know about.

You can search by You can search by keyword, keyword, subject, title, name or topicsubject, title, name or topic

You can try searching by different You can try searching by different phrases such as “gun control” or “gun phrases such as “gun control” or “gun laws” or “gun legislation” in order to laws” or “gun legislation” in order to yield more resultsyield more results

There are several ways to search There are several ways to search for information.for information.

Enter a term for a basic search

here

Search by topichere

Select categories for search by checking or unchecking boxes here

Click here to use an advanced

search

Search ResultsSearch Results

Results can be sorted by selecting a term here

To access the article,

you can click on the

article title or on the

HTML or PDF link

You can sort your

results by sourcetype

What can you do once you find an What can you do once you find an article you want to use?article you want to use?

Print the articlePrint the article

Email the articleEmail the article

Save the article to your Ebsco “virtual file folder”Save the article to your Ebsco “virtual file folder”This folder is available for you no matter which of the

EBSCO databases you use. Each time you log-in to your personal folder, you will

be able to access your saved files. This is a great time-saving tool to use.

Click here to create your folder

Select “I'm a new user” to set up a folder account or enter user name and password if you already have one.

You have to fill in all 6 of the boxes to create an account. Make sure

you write down the user name and

password.

Once you have a folder, you can save articles by simply clicking on “Add” next to the article summary or “Add to folder” when viewing the full text article.

What can you do if you need What can you do if you need help?help?

Click the “Help” button in the top right of your EBSCO screen. There are many helpful tips there.

Ask the teacher librarian or library technician to help you. That’s what we are here for.

Click the “New Search” button on the top left. Begin your search again. Sometimes it helps to start over.

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What have you LEARNED What have you LEARNED about using Ebsco online about using Ebsco online

databases?databases?

You can access this presentation You can access this presentation again on again on www.whslib.orgwww.whslib.org for for

review if needed. review if needed.