Why Use Library Indexes/Databases ? Why Do Keyword Searching?
Library Indexes and Databases are the primary source for locating journal, magazine and newspaper articles. They allow you to search for articles in many different magazines and journals and on all topics.
Each library database includes articles from hundreds of magazines, journals and/or newspapers. Sometimes databases just include the citation (the brief description of the article - you use this information to find the article in the library). However more and more library databases are providing access to the full-text of articles.
Library Databases/Indexes are the best place to start when you are searching
for articles about a particular topic. Keyword Searching is the most
effective way to find the articles you need on your topic in those databases.
In this tutorial, you will learn the following:
How to select keywords
How to make your search smaller and more focused by combining keywords using
and
How to make your search larger by using synonyms
How to make your search larger by using truncation (the *)
The mechanics that you learn here will form the basis for all of the library database searching that you'll do in the future.
Please answer this question before moving on to the next section:
• 1. Where on the Library's Website would you look if you want to search for articles in indexes or databases?
Great work!
Now go to the next section: Keywords