Library Research Guided Exercise Part II: Locating and Searching by Subject in "Article"/"Indexing" Databases

Before you begin these exercises, please read over this entire page and also Article/Indexing Databases - FAQ.
This exercise will repeat the same search in three different databases each from a different database "vendor".   The purpose is to understand the mechanics of this tyoe of database searching, not to investigate any database or topic) in great depth.  If you have problems accessing a database, it may just be that there is no port available at that time. Just try again in 5-10 minutes.  If you continue to have difficulty contact me before you become frustrated or feel like you are spinning your wheels.
  1. Each exercise begins at the OSU Libraries Homepage (http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu) where you will look for the the link to "Databases" under Quicklinks.
    • This is an alphabetic list of databases to which the library subscribes.
    • Notice the Information links next to each title on this list. By clicking on this link you can learn a little more about that database.
    • Notice that there is also a drop down menu which shows you the same databases but organized in broad subject areas. We will not use this feature but it is worth investigating on your own.
  2. By following the three linked exercises below, you will get a practical overview of searching using three major database vendors. The specific database used in each exercise was chosen because it had enough information on our search topic, the Elwha Dam, to be useful. However, there are many other databases (some better from a subject point of view) from these and other database vendors to which you have access. You should take time to investigate them as well.
Note: For all of the following parts of this exercise, when you are asked to type a word or phrase, don't include the " " (quotation marks) unless specifically told to do so.
  1. From EBSCOHost we will look at the database, "Academic Search Premier"
    Other Ebsco databases covering information useful for natural resources and decision makers include:
    • Agricola (good for forestry and extension related questions and information from USDA)
    • Applied Science and Technology Abstracts (ASTA) (readable articles related to engineering and technology)
    • Business Source Premier (good for a "business/commerce" take on natural resource management questions)
    • GeoREF (good for geosciences information)
    • Newspaper Source (good for news and "what were they thinking" questions related to public policy)

  2. From FirstSearch we will look at the database "ArticleFirst"
    Other FirstSearch databases covering information useful for natural resources and decision makers include:
    • Business Dateline (another source for getting the business perspective)
    • Dissertation Abstracts (Index to PhD dissertations nationwide and to a more limited extent, internationally)
    • GEOBASE (good for geography, forestry, and natural resource peer reviewed research)
    • GPO Monthly Catalog (an index to material issued by the Government Printing Office by all agencies and Congress -- very relevant to this course.)

  3. From Cambridge Scientific (CSA) we will look at the database Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management (ESPM)
    ESPM is made up of several sub-databases including one exclusively for environmental impact statements, but when we search it, we are search all of these. Other CSA databases covering information useful for natural resources and decision makers include:
    • Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abastracts
    • ERIC (the major education database)
    • NTIS (an index to grant reports submitted to the National Technical Information Service
    • Sociological Abstracts
    • Toxline
  • Though it is a great resource for research related to forestry, rural sociology, leisure, and tourism, we will NOT look at CAB Abstracts made available from CAB Direct.
  • We will also NOT be looking at the Social Science and Science Citation Indexes, two huge databases made available via the Thompson/ISI as the "Web of Science". This database allows you to search forward in time from a known article and discover who has cited it in later years. These are both critical resources for graduate work but are not vital for this course.
  • As you select a search strategy for your final graded exercise, you should keep all of these options in mind.
    • One last note of caution: Vendors try to improve their products and so you may run into new search interfaces often. It is good to remember that even if the "look" of the search screen changes, a database should have the same content and the functions you are use to are there, just in a different place. Don't let this disorient you.

    Go to Answer Key.

    Go on to Library Research Guided Exercise Part III: Search Strategy

    Return to main page for NR 455: Natural Resource Decision Making: Week 2 Assignment.

    Send a question/comment to Bonnie Avery