Library Assignment Two

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On the Shasta College Library homepage, select the "Articles and Databases" link.  For today, choose "magazines." (Click on "On Campus Access" if you are in the library or an on-campus lab, and "Off Campus Access" if you are surfing from an off campus computer.)  If you are using one of the library database computers or a lab computer on campus, you will not need to put in a password.

First try again the sample search you did in the iBistro database.  Our same search for "horse racing not francis" returned 629 hits -- again far too many to browse through effectively.  In order to find a good article on horse racing that does not involve fiction by Dick Francis, we will have to narrow our term further, and it is likely you will need to do so with your own search term as well.  

What is useful about this method is that as you seek fewer returns and a narrower search term, you also focus in on a better and more specific topic about which to write.  This always results in a better paper.  

We next tried "horse racing not francis and drugs", to see if there were any interesting articles about drugging race horses.  This returned 2 hits, not quite enough for thorough research. We thought we would uncheck the "full text" box and search again.  Now there are 7 returns -- a good manageable number.  Since we've started our research early (as you should do when you begin your first paper), we have time to request those articles which are not available in full text on the data base through interlibrary loan.

Now using the same search term that was successful in iBistro, search Ebscohost for articles.   You will notice that you have many more choices in the online databases.  

Using the example search above as a model, keep track of your search terms below:

When you have found a term that returns less than ten results, select at least five articles to cite in your bibliography for Wednesday.  Pick one article to print. Notice that you can also read the article online by clicking the icon within the listing.  Do check to see how long it is, and make certain it is actually the true article and not an "abstract" about the article. 

You should also make certain this article is one you would like to read. Save it to your disk, or email it to yourself, since you will need to turn it in to me next week.  Then put your card in (or just press print if you’re in a lab or at home) and print the article.  Your summary of this article will be due on Wednesday, next week.

Now keep this (and your other) Library Assignments in your binder.  It will come in handy when you're working at home and need instructions for getting around the library.

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