Beyond ProQuest!

Welcome!
Today you will be learning about effective research strategies, particularly the use of online databases. We assume that you know about and have used ProQuest in our library.

Whats Wrong with ProQuest?

Theres nothing wrong with ProQuest. However, although ProQuest can be a useful database, our library subscribes to additional, more specific databases that may provide you with a more focused search.

How to complete this lesson

You will need to have this presentation and a web browser window open at the same time.

1. Leave this presentation open. 2. Use your mouse to click on the File tab in your web browser. 3. Select either new tab or new window.

Type in our school homepage (www.pasadena.edu) in the URL window. Then, select the library tab.

How do I decide which database to use?

On our library homepage, you will notice an option to browse databases by name or subject. Choose the By Subject option.

See the next screen for clarification.

Choose the by subject link.

The databases will be listed by subject:

Multiple Subject Databases Art and Music Biographies Books and E-Books Controversial Topics Dictionaries Encyclopedias Law Literary Criticism News Nursing and Allied Health Science Social Science

Depending on your topic, you may need to expand the scope of your research to include multiple subjects.

Decide which database(s) might prove useful in your search.

Ask yourself the following questions to help you choose appropriate database subjects and to consider the different aspects of your topic:

Would information on an authors background help me in my research? Is my topic a controversial issue? Would any dictionary or encyclopedia entries help me define key terms? Is my topic related to art and music, law, literature, the natural sciences, and/or the social sciences? Which book and/or e-book catalogs help in my particular search?

Sample Topic: Genetic Engineering

If you were researching genetic engineering as a topic, which databases do you think would result in the best results?

Sample Topic: Genetic Engineering

These databases would probably produce the most relevant results:
Books and E-Books Controversial Topics Encyclopedias Law Nursing and Allied Health Science

Lets look at Books and E-Books

Under the subject heading Books and EBooks, two databases appear relevant to the topic of genetic engineering:
Gale Virtual Reference Library PCC Library Catalog

Lets look at Controversial Topics

Under the subject heading Controversial Topics, you should see three specific databases:
Opposing Viewpoints in Context CQ Researcher SIRS Knowledge Source

Lets Look at Encyclopedias

Under the Encyclopedias subject heading, you should see two relevant databases. Each has its own merits. Take a minute to read the description of each database.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online World Book Web

Lets Look at Law

Under the subject heading Law, you should see the Westlaw Database, which might prove useful to examine what the courts have decided with respect to the legality of genetic engineering.

Nursing and Allied Health

Under the subject heading Nursing and Allied Health, you should see two options:
ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source Salem Health Explore each database. How are these two databases different?

Science
Under the Science heading, you should see four databases. However, they might not all be relevant to the topic of genetic engineering. Which do you think would be most relevant?

Science
We think that these two would produce the best results, but sometimes you have to explore a database to see if it will work for you.
Science Full Text Select

(H.W. Wilson Database)

PubMed Central

Now its your turn to practice.

Page 1
Topic:

Is Black English a viable medium for social and political expression?

Essentially, Baldwin argues that Black English has a particular sociopolitical role: a tool with which to express the reality of Black America and the history of oppression experienced by black Americans. According to Baldwin, to belittle or repudiate the use of Black English is to belittle or to repudiate the social and political experience of black Americans.

Research Topic: If you were going to write an argumentative composition about Black English, what databases would you choose?

Take a look at the by subject database list:

Multiple Subject Databases Art and Music Biographies Books and E-Books Controversial Topics Dictionaries Encyclopedias Law Literary Criticism News Nursing and Allied Health Science Social Science

Write down the answers to the following questions:

Would information on an authors background help me in my research? Is this topic a controversial issue? Would any dictionary or encyclopedia entries help me define key terms? Is my topic related to art and music, law, literature, the natural sciences, and/or the social sciences? Which book and/or e-book catalogs help in my particular search?

Which databases should you use?

Based on your responses to the previous questions, which databases should you use? Write down the names of these databases. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.