WRIT 1120: Research Workshop: Using EBSCO and other databases

Did you know?

BGSU's library subscribes to more than 300 databases.

Why do we need 300+ databases?

While some databases are more general in nature and include resources about a variety of subjects, many databases focus on a particular subject area. For example, there are business databases (such as Mintel, which includes reports about US and international marketplaces), psychology databases (such as PsycINFO, which contains research articles and conference presentations written by and for psychologists), etc.

How do I find databases for my subject area?

Hint: Use the "all databases" link on the library home page (bgsu.edu/library), then use the "all subjects" dropdown box to  select the subject area that fits best with your research project.

In many library databases, there are filters on the left side of your results list to limit by:

• publication date
• type of source
• and more!

Disclaimer: if your WRIT class attended a pre-search workshop and you've already completed the Generating Keywords worksheet, skip to the next box below.

How to talk to databases

You can type a sentence or question into Google and retrieve relevant results. Databases operate differently than search engines, so they require a different search strategy.

• As you conduct research in library databases, you are taking part in an ongoing scholarly conversation. Scholars and professionals often use specialized vocabulary that you may not use in everyday conversation. If you use different language than the professionals use, you may be missing out on a lot of great information. 
• Databases are more structured than internet search engines. In a search engine, your search terms can match words in the full text or the entire web site. In a database, your search terms need to match words in the data that describe the article such as the article title, the journal title, and the abstract (overview) of the article, not necessarily the full text.

Thus, we recommend:

• carefully select the key concepts from your research question and combine those as keywords to search in a database
• use the worksheet labeled 'generating keywords' to brainstorm search terms

How do I get full text? Try "find it" first. 

Click on the "access options" box. If you don't see "PDF" or "online full text" options, use the "Find it" link. One of the following scenarios may happen after clicking on "Find it"; the link will:

• take you directly to the article at the publisher's web site
• take you to the publisher's web site, where you may need to search again for the article title
• OR, you may find that we do not have a subscription for the article. In that case, you can request the article through a process called Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

3 ways to save your sources

1. Create a direct link to the item

• From the results list, use the three dots menu on the right side of the screen with each article title. Select the arrow icon or "share" option. Click on "create link". Select "copy to clipboard". Paste the link somewhere you can keep it or send it to yourself. OR
• Once you have clicked on an article title, select the arrow icon or "share" option near the top right corner (just under the search bar). Click on "create link". Select "copy to clipboard". Paste the link somewhere you can keep it or send it to yourself.

2. E-mail

• From the results list, use the three dots menu on the right side of the screen with each article title. Select the arrow icon or "share" option. Select the "email" option. Type in your BGSU email address. Click "send". OR
• Once you have clicked on an article title, select the arrow icon or "share" option near the top right corner (just under the search bar). Select the "email" option. Type in your BGSU email address. Click "send".

3. Download the PDF (best when using your own device)

• Click on the "access options" box. If a PDF option appears, click on PDF. Click on download at the top of the screen.