Database Searching
Library Databases Provide Access to Journal Articles
This modules is designed to teach you about the SFCC Library's research databases. Like all college libraries, the SFCC Library purchases lots of databases containing all types of research information (periodical articles, ebooks, images, streaming videos, etc.). The information below describes how databases work and how you can access them to complete your assignment.
Some characteristics of library databases:
- Information is curated: Library databases contain information appropriate for college and professional research. For example, the periodicals in databases like ProQuest are reputable newspapers, magazines, and journals. That said, some types of periodical articles are considered more credible than others; generally speaking, journal articles written by researchers have a the highest level of credibility of any periodical articles.
- Information is proprietary: Most information in library databases is not available on the free internet. In fact, if you find an article during a web search and are asked to pay for the article, don't pay. Just check with your library. These for-fee articles are either in library databases or the library will obtain them for you for free from databases in our partner libraries.
[There are some free journal article databases on the web (like Google Scholar and DOAJ) but they may not contain the full-text of articles from fee-based journals. If you only search these free databases and not library databases, you'll be missing a ton of important content.]
- Databases have citation generators: Use the automatically generated MLA citations in library databases, and check each citation to make sure there are no punctuation or capitalization changes required.(The citation generator places author, title, and other information into the proper MLA order, but it doesn't correct capitalization if a title is in ALL CAPS for example.)
Some databases are subject specific, meaning they collect information around a specific area of study. For this project I recommend that you use History databases listed on the SFCC Library: PNW History guide. Links to an external site.
Databases and their content is not available on the free internet. If you are off-campus, you'll be required to login using your bigfoot username and password Links to an external site.. Links to an external site. If you have any login problems, contact the library at 509-533-3834.
Database Search Tips
Database Search Tips
Use the databases on the SFCC Library: PNW History Guide
Links to an external site.. Both databases have a collection of magazines, newspapers, and scholarly articles.
To learn about library databases and how to search for articles, watch this video tutorial:
Remember as you create your search terms, only use keywords, which are the significant words or concepts that express an idea or topic.
See the examples below:
drones AND privacy
surveillance AND ethics AND workplace
surveillance AND "information technology"
"social media" AND surveillance AND (workplace OR employees)
"peer pressure" AND workplace AND ethic*
"young adults" AND "social networking" AND identity
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NOTES ABOUT SEARCH TECHNIQUES:
WHAT DOES THE ASTERISK DO? You can use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard. For example, typing statistic* will retrieve articles containing any word starting with the spelling s-t-a-t-i-s-t-i-c (like statistic, statistics, statistical, etc.).
WHAT DO THE QUOTATION MARKS DO? Use quotation marks ( " " ) to enclose a phrase of 2 words or more; this will force ProQuest to search for articles with that exact phrase in the article. Examples: "homeless children" "genetically modified food"
NOTES ABOUT NARROWING YOUR SEARCHES:
When you search in an article index database, notice the many facets on the left side of your results screen that let you further limit your results by:
- Date
- Source type
- Location
- Full text To find only article you can real in full, tick the box title full text.
- Peer reviewed articles Tick the box for Peer reviewed to narrow your search to only articles from scholarly journals which have been reviewed by a panel of worldwide subject experts before being approved for publication.
- Other limitations Try the ADVANCED SEARCH to use several limiters simultaneously, or ask a librarian for help.
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Having trouble finding articles on your topic?
Finding relevant articles among the millions of articles in library databases can be difficult. Journal articles are about very narrow topics, so it may be hard to find research studies that exclusively discuss the exact topic you've chosen. Our advice is to find an article that's relevant to some aspect of your topic and contains information you can use to support your thesis. It's OK if the entire article isn't about your topic, but you should be able to use some portion of the article to strengthen your paper. Usually the the first few introductory paragraphs of a research study and the conclusion at the end will give background information on why the topic is of interest, why it's a problem, statistics, and what was learned. These introductions and conclusions can be rich sources of information for you.
Get help any time! Links to an external site.Finding relevant articles can be hard. Don't be shy about asking a librarian for help.
Database Login Information
To access library databases Links to an external site. off campus, Links to an external site. students will need their network username and password.
Username: first name first initial of last name last 4 numbers of your student ID followed by @bigfoot.spokane.edu
(ex. JohnD3443@bigfoot.spokane.edu)
Password: the same password you use to log into your bigfoot email, campus WIFI, or computer.
IT Help Desk: Can reset your password.
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Phone: 509-533-4357
Hours: Mon-Friday: 7:30a - 5:30p
Still having problems? Librarians can supply you with a temporary password.
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SFCC Reference Desk: 509-533-3834
Mon-Thurs: 7:15a-5p
Fri: 7:15a-3p
or try ASK US! 24/7 Links to an external site. (Chat with a librarian anytime of the day or night)