Database selection training
- 1. z Each database represents a subset of journals that meet a specific information need. Thus, when fishing for information on a specific topic, you must first consider which pool is most likely to contain that information. DATABASE SELECTION When considering which database to search, first consider the types of articles you want to find. That will help you choose where to start.
- 2. • Compendex (“Computerized Engineering Index”) offers over 20 million records related specifically to engineering. This is a good place to start for technically-oriented topics. • IEEE Xplor is also technically oriented and offers over 4.5 million records related to electrical engineering and associated fields. Databases for Engineering/Technology Students
- 3. • Web of Science and Scopus offer access to articles in the broad sciences. Web of Science provides over 90 million records, while Scopus provides over 69 million. These databases also offer citation indexes that assist researchers in tracking who cites whom in their articles.
- 4. • ERIC (“Education Resources Information Center”) is a good resource for those who are researching educational practices. • ProQuest offers a large suite of databases covering an array of topics in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This is a good resource for articles with broader perspectives.
- 5. • Other suggestions for databases can be found in the research guides that can be accessed from the library home page. Click on the “Research Guides” button (or follow the link https://lib.byu.edu/guides/) and type your major/area of interest into the search field.
- 6. v When you are finished viewing this material, please close this tab on your browser and return to the Decision-based Learning tab. v