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Research Strategies

:: The Library

:: Search Strategy

:: Topic

:: The Web

:: Scholarly?

:: Reference

:: Catalogs

:: Articles

:: Databases I

:: Databases II

:: Databases III

:: Databases IV

:: Quick Search

:: Evaluation

:: Plagiarism

:: Citing

Research Databases IV -- Advanced Search Techniques
Using subject-specific thesaurus-driven databases and limits to locate scholarly and professional literature.

Beyond Academic Search Complete and LexisNexis
For basic research, the two databases at the top of the CML homepage -- Academic Search Complete and LexisNexis -- are great resources. Once you begin serious research within a particular discipline, however, you may find that you need to use articles from a broader spectrum of scholarly and professional journals than are available on those two databases. You will find more professional and scholarly journal literature in the subject-specific research databases.

Many subject-specific databases are designed to direct users quickly to comprehensive results lists by utilizing "controlled vocabulary." Each of these databases is built around its own thesaurus of subject headings. Additionally, subject-specific databases also often offer a multitude of database-specific limit options for the expert searcher.

To see the databases that are most useful to a particular discipline, from the library homepage, click on "More Databases," and then choose the department in which your specific subject fits.

For instance, if you need nursing information about the “diabetic foot,” click Health Sciences.

Research Databases by Subject

On the Health Sciences webpage, you can either select "Nursing" from the menu at the top of the page or simply scroll down the page until you find the "Nursing" block.

Selecting Nursing

Look at the databases listed for Nursing. CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source would be excellent resources for scholarly and professional literature on this subject. If you need help choosing a database, please ask your professor or a librarian.

Nursing Databases

Thesaurus-driven Databases
Many of the subject-specific databases work best when you use the controlled vocabulary or built-in thesaurus. The thesaurus describes the terms that researchers in a particular subject area favor, and you can use the thesaurus to find the best terms for your research. For some of these databases, a print version of the thesaurus, such as the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors, is also available to assist you in selecting appropriate subject headings and descriptors.

Because different subject-specific databases are marketed by different vendors, the interfaces and commands differ; however, basically, when you do a keyword search, the database will attempt to suggest a subject to you. For instance, in ERIC when you do a search for WRITING, the database offers a number of suggested subjects:

Thesaurus

You can choose a single subject by clicking on it, or you can choose two or more subjects by check marking your selections and then clicking the COMBINE TERMS button. The database will then generate a list of results.

If you choose a single subject, depending on the database, you may be given the opportunity to focus your search on a particular facet -- a subheading -- of that subject.

For instance, if you do a MEDLINE search for DYSLEXIA, you can either see all of the articles or you can limit your results by check marking selected subheadings to only those articles that deal with, for instance, DIAGNOSIS and THERAPY:

Other Ways to Limit a Search
Many databases offer both pre- and post- limiting options. A pre-limit is one that you apply before submitting your search query. For instance, if you are searching in SPORTDiscus, in international database with many foreign-language publications, you may limit your results to articles in English.

SPORTDiscus Pre-Limits

Pre-limit options are usually listed under the search windows on the initial screen when you open a database.

Post-Limits
A post-limit is one that you apply after generating a preliminary list of results. In subject-specific databases, such as MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Biological Abstracts, it is common to see an extensive list of post-limit options.

Post-Limits

For more information about the pre- and post- limits available in any particular database, see the HELP screens for that particular database.

Saving and Exporting Citations
Most databases offer a mechanism for saving (storing, adding) and exporting (sending) citations. Some databases will format saved citations into APA, MLA, and other standard citation formats. In the Art Full Text database, for instance, after a list of results has been generated, you can checkmark the citations that you want to store and then print, email, or save them to another drive or to an application such as a personal bibliographic manager (a program which creates a bibliography.)

Saving and Exporting

For more information about how any particular database saves and exports citations, see the HELP screens of that database.

Help
Because many different companies produce catalogs and research databases, you will notice differences in the screens, command keys, and functions. Guides to most catalogs and databases are available online. Look for HELP or SEARCH TIPS -- or ask a librarian for assistance.

For tutorials that will teach you to use specific databases, see our webpage Tutorials, Guides, Tips, and Help.

To go to the next page in the Research Strategies tutorial, click Quick Search.

Need Help?

Get help via IM, email (Reference_Services@Shawnee.edu), or by phoning (740.351.3321).

If you prefer face-to-face assistance, stop by the Clark Memorial Library Reference Counter or schedule a Research Consultation with a Reference Librarian.

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