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Wed 14 Jun, 2006 08:59 pm
I Have been struggling with online research for a few months now. For my first class, there was only one small research paper. This class requires a bigger one - I imagine they will continue to get more complex. I am an off-campus grad student in Cambridge MA (home of MIT, Harvard, Lesley, Radcliff, etc). I am enrolled with Lesley U and have access to their library via the web. I can also access the physical grad library m-sat.
I feel like I need more access points. I want there to be more academic libraries available to me. I'm not sure if that's because I don't know how to use the Lesley system properly, or if the system just sucks. I'm geussing it's the former.
So, how does one use academic databases effectively?
Is this something anyone can even help me with? I'll be headed to the library this saturday for some tutoring from the librarians there. But, if anyone can tell me any details or soemthing I am missing I'd much appreciate it.
An oddish thing that I tried was Questia online library.
It is variable in quality, but has online books as well as papers.
I quit it, becauase you have to pay and because of Oz copyright agreements the stuff I really wanted to read I was not allowed to access, so it was not economical.
I would have a look, though, and see whether they have anything to offer you.
It is, as I recall,
www.questia.com
Lil K...
You might try this one, I have access to it through my online school...don't know if it will help or not...there is a free trial with it...
http://www.gale.com/onefile/
And another one that I have access through is ProQuest...
http://www.proquest.com/
You might try these two...I have another one, but it won't allow for anyone other than a student to access it. Its probably offered through your library. EBSCO host?
Anyway..maybe that'll help some...
Quote:So, how does one use academic databases effectively?
You've got the right idea by getting a live tutorial from a librarian. There aren't many better ways to master these databases than to just start using them.
One thing that may help is to get hold of a book or an academic paper that cites the kinds of sources you're after, and see if you can find these sources yourself through your library's databases. If these sources don't show up and you're pretty sure you're using the database correctly (I'm sure a librarian can help you in this regard), then it's a sign that that particular database is not suited for the kind of research you want to do.
The best thing you can do is go right into your university library and ask them this same question. They can show you which databases they have, what materials they can get you through interlibrary loan and the databases that are best suited to your particular area of research. They would be more than willing to help you out and you'll probably get a leg up on the other students by doing so.
Good luck!
Hey, meridas. Like your avatar.
Oopsie, Sorry folks! I've been remiss.
I have access through my university to several databases (proquest and Gale included) I am getting better at finding things in those databases. But, I still had issues with really be able to read the info given - the reference data, links provided, ability to save/print/see full text. I'll get it evemtually (I did go to the library, but the head librarian, who was bored and offered to show me, was on crack or something).
Just need practice, I guess.
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