Articles provide more current information from that found in books. Articles are a good source of original research studies and evidence based practice. To find articles in scholarly journals, newspapers and popular magazines you need to search a research database. One of the most important steps in finding articles is selecting the right research database.Use the library's Database Guides by Subject to find those databases most appropriate for your topic.
To satisfy this step complete the following database selection tasks:
Under the Welcome tab, in the Quick Links section, click Xtreme Subject Guides.
Click the down arrow in the Select an Academic Program textbox and scroll to a program that provides the focus for one of your classes.
The resulting Xtreme Subject Guide will contain a Database Guide.
Click the Database Guide to see the list of databases that contain articles.
Scroll through the list of databases. They are arranged under two categories: Highly Recommended and just Recommended. Each database has a brief one-paragraph description.
The first database under Highly Recommended is usually the best place to start.
In the list of Highly Recommended databases pick 2 databases.
Create a new entry in your Blackboard e-portfolio (Expo Directory).
Write a short paragraph in your new e-portfolio entry comparing the 2 databases you selected. Indicate the differences in years covered, topics covered, the amount of full-text, and any special features.
To finish this step complete the following database searching tasks:
View these three video tutorials for searching the more than 25 databases provided by EBSCO Publishing.
Select one of the following EBSCO databases to search:
Do a keyword search for a topic that interests you or is related to an upcoming paper, project or other assignment.
In your search results, find at least one article that is available online full-text. Hint: click the Find It @ XU icon or link to determine the article's full-text availability.
Open the full-text article and save it to the Desktop on your computer.
Create a new entry in your Blackboard e-portfolio (Expo Directory).
Upload the full-text article you saved to your desktop into your new e-portfolio entry.
Back in the database search results:
Add the articles you think might be useful to your folder. Hint: click Add to folder .
Email your saved articles to yourself. Hint: click Folder view.
In your email, highlight the list of articles you emailed to yourself and copy it.
Create a new entry in your Blackboard e-portfolio (Expo Directory).
Paste the list of articles into the new Blackboard e-portfolio entry.
