Research using Subscription Library Databases
MO 5341 (Spring 2009), Louis J. Blume Library, http://library.stmarytx.edu/acadlib/
Diane Duesterhoeft, dduesterhoeft@stmarytx.edu , 210/436-3346; Reference Desk: 210/436-3508
Objectives: By the end of this session, you should:
Become more familiar with some of the library’s subscription databases and the type of information they provide
Find library information sources that are useful for your project
Utilize more of the subscription database features
Feel comfortable asking a reference librarian for assistance with your research questions
Procedures: Complete this exercise, save it to your laptop and email it to me when completed. If you find an item
of interest, use the “email” icon/function within the database to email the item to yourself and continue working
through the exercise. Please ask if you have questions as you work through this guide.
If a particular item of information is not provided, write N/A (not applicable) for that question.
Enter your name here:
Part 1. Defining Your Topic
1. What is your topic or thesis statement?
2. What are some keywords you might use to search for this topic? Which organizations, individuals, etc.
are connected with this topic?
3. What are some related terms you might use for your search?
Information Seeking Process
Think about your topic.
oBreak it into key concepts and identify terms for each concept. Start with fewer words.
oUse Boolean connectors like and, or, and not to connect keywords. Many databases search the
words as a phrase otherwise.
oTruncation characters such as an * (asterisk) can expand your search by retrieving various forms of
a word, e.g., comput* retrieves computer, computers, computing, computation, etc.
oLook at subject headings and terms used in abstracts for related terms. These might be additional
terms to search.
oThink about which events, individuals or groups of people are associated with your topic. These
might be additional terms to search.
oConsider what type of information you need and where you might find it.
Pay attention to which databases you are searching and how you are searching, e.g., which keywords,
which fields you’re searching, etc. This information will be helpful if you need to find additional
information, or find a particular source again. When you talk to the librarians, it’s helpful if you can tell
them which resources you searched and how you searched. It may be helpful to log this information.
Talk to the librarians. Don’t be afraid. Ask questions. That’s why we’re here.
Part 2. Using an international news database: Lexis/Nexis Academic
Go to the Blume Library home page, which can be accessed directly at http://library.stmarytx.edu/acadlib .
Click on Lexis/Nexis in the first column.
Click on the News tab near the top of the search screen.
Under Sources: select Portuguese Language News Combined or Spanish Language News Combined
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