FYS: EBSCO Searching

EBSCO Basics

This module will show you how to use one of Funderburg Library's most frequently used databases - EBSCO.

As you go through this tutorial, use the interactive database to the right of your screen (when prompted to do so) to complete each tutorial section. You'll know when actions are to be completed by the use of bold lettering in the instructions.

Finally, to move through the tutorial content, use the arrows below to move forward or backward.

So let's get started! 

Accessing EBSCO Databases

Before you actually begin using the EBSCO database to the right, I want to mention how you would get here from the library's homepage.

You will want to locate Academic Search Premier - ONE of our many EBSCO databases that can be used with just about any topic. Access to this starting point can be found either from the top left link, or on the A-Z List of Databases link.

Using our databases when on campus will take you directly to the database home page (like what you see to the right if you're on campus right now) with no log in necessary.

When off campus, access is still available, but you will see an additional screen that will require you to enter your regularly used student username and password (Do so now if you're working on this tutorial off-campus. Otherwise, continue with the tutorial content).

Choosing Additional Relevant Databases

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Now let's actually work with the interactive database!

As mentioned before, Academic Search Premier is only one EBSCO database. There may be others that are beneficial to you depending on your research topic.

You might be thinking...can't I just search Academic Search Premier and be done with it?

Here are a few reasons why that may not be the best approach:

• By expanding your search to include multiple databases, you broaden your search results. 
• Search time is also cut in half as a result of searching more than one database at the same time. 

To access the list of available EBSCO databases, locate and click the Choose Databases link found above the search box in the interactive database window to the right of this tutorial.

Choosing Additional Relevant Databases

2 of 3At this point, you may still be unsure of which database options to choose. EBSCO helps by including a database description that can be found by hovering your cursor over the yellow note icon to the right of the database name.

 

 

 

BEFORE MOVING ON: In your own words, what is the database description for Communication & Mass Media Complete? (Remember to hover over the yellow note icon, read the description, and then type an overview in your own words below.)

 

Choosing Additional Relevant Databases

3 of 3Place a check in the box next to: 

• Communication & Mass Media Complete and 
• ERIC. 

Click the OK button to continue.

It's now time to search!

NOTE: Since this is an example tutorial, Communication & Mass Media Complete and ERIC may not work for your topic. Take the time to read some of the descriptions in order to find the best database that will fit your research needs. If at any point you have questions, please feel free to contact one of your Manchester University librarians at librarians@manchester.edu for assistance.

Searching EBSCO Databases

1 of 6Once your databases have been chosen, it's time to search. You could start by adding your search terms to the single box provided, but I prefer the Advanced Search view.

Click Advanced Search found below the single search box.

Searching EBSCO Databases

2 of 6This multi-box advanced search view allows you to string multiple keywords together using Boolean Operators.

But what in the heck are Boolean Operators?

Click the arrow below within this tutorial area to find out.

Searching EBSCO Databases

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STEP 1: Determine Your Keywords

When determining your keywords, think of the main hub of your topic and pull out the important words only.

For instance, if you're looking for the correlation between Facebook use among students when studying, the main keywords are in bold and could be combined within the advanced search boxes (but don't do this just yet...). 

Searching EBSCO Databases

4 of 6STEP 2: Determine Synonyms 

It's important to also think of synonyms, or "like" terms, that can be used with the words you've extracted from your topic. These synonyms will help you combine words using Boolean Operators (the definition of that term is coming...I promise!).

Possible synonyms, or "like" terms, might look like this:

• Facebook: social networks
• Studying: academic success

Note: It's OK to use short phrases, but keep them simple.

Searching EBSCO Databases

5 of 6STEP 3: Combine Keywords with Boolean Operators

To keep things simple, Boolean Operators utilize the words AND, OR, and NOT to combine keywords within a search.

You are either broadening your search to include more results (Example: Facebook OR social networks)... 

narrowing your results to focus on a lesser and more specific angle for your topic (Example: Facebook AND academic success)...

or excluding results (often when one word has more than one meaning) that may not be relevant (social networks NOT YouTube). 

Searching EBSCO Databases

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What might this look like in a search? I'm glad you asked, and you'll now be able to interact again with the database on the right.

Enter the terms below into the advanced search boxes making sure to separate them with the correct Boolean Operator:

"social networks" (AND)
"academic performance" (OR) studying

Be sure to include the quotation marks for searching phrases (these aren't needed when you have one word)

In the end, your boxes should look like this:

Click Search and then click the arrow below to continue to the next portion of this guide. 

Filtering Results

Before going further, we need to take a look at some of the narrowing filters available. To do so, look to the Refine Results section found on the left-hand side of the database page. Below are explanations for some of these filters.

FULL TEXT: This option when checked will give you listings of complete articles in your results. You will be able to read articles in their entirety instead of relying on a snippet of information from an abstract summary. I would caution against keeping this checked all the time. EBSCO is smart enough to know when a non-EBSCO database has the article and will provide you with a direct link to it.

SCHOLARLY (PEER-REVIEWED) JOURNALS: When a professor requires a peer-reviewed article to be included in your research, you might wonder what that means. Simply put, peer-reviewed articles within a peer-reviewed journal are written and reviewed by experts in the field you are researching BEFORE the publication of the article. This helps to ensure the scholarly quality of the information within the article by eliminating opinion and bias material.

PUBLICATION DATE RANGE: In some instances it may be necessary to filter your results to reflect current information. You can do so easily by using the sliders or by typing in a custom date range. 

Before moving on in the tutorial content, place checks next to:

• Full Text
• Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals

 

Search Results

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Locate and click the article title: 
Impact of Cognitive Absorption on Facebook on Students' Achievement

 

Notice the article now appears on screen for you to read in full text. From here, there are just a few more things to consider...

Search Results

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If you've read through a portion of the article (in particular, the Abstract, Introduction, and Conclusion) and feel that it's one you want to keep and use, there are a few tools available to help you save the article.

But first, you'll want to grab your citation information.

Click the Detailed Record link found at the top left of your database window.

Search Results

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Within this Detailed Record page, you will find all the pieces of your citation that you'll need for citing your work properly. Be sure to write down:

• author names
• the source (found in blue and is the name of the journal where the article is published)
• date
• volume and issue numbers
• page range

Search Results

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Take a look on the right side of your database page for helpful saving tools such as:

• E-mail
• Save
• Print
• Add to folder (must be signed in with your personal EBSCO account - created separately from your Manchester University credentials)

Need Extra Help?

If you need to view a portion of this tutorial at a later date, use the "contents" box at the top of this rectangle to locate different "chapters" of the tutorial for review.

Have further questions? Please feel free to contact your Manchester University Librarians (librarians@manchester.edu) or visit the library’s website.

 

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPLETION of this tutorial, we'd like to know if this was helpful to you as you prepare to begin your research. (Please write your comments below)

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