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Databases

Internet

Summit

MLA

Handouts, etc

Writing 121: Ergenbright

Instructor: Erin Ergenbright
erin.ergenbright@pcc.edu 		 
Librarian: Robin Shapiro
robin.shapiro@pcc.edu		  

Database Search Tips

Remember that databases are really literal. Try to keep your searches to one concept per box. So if you are on the hunt for articles on bilingual literacy programs for children you would put "bilingual" in one search box and "literacy" in another with "children" in the third.
You may have to try multiple words before the search pans out.

Remember the full-text box. Otherwise you might find a lot of summaries but no actual articles.

See a list of databases by subject. Your topic might be in humanities, history, arts and literature, or another subject area. Experiment-- you're not going to break anything!

Internet for Free vs. Internet for Fee (you get what you pay for)

Although websites and databases are both electronic resources, the quality of information you get from each can vary wildly.

Google is a great place to find a local plumber but you'll probably have no idea whether that plumber is timely, cheap, or does good work.

Library databases, on the other hand, are useful because the information contained within a database has already been checked for quality and authority (well-researched).

There is also great information available for free on the Internet; it just takes a little more work to use it. This Website evaluation checklist will help you to think critically about the information you find on the Internet and whether or not it is useful.

Remember that Google Scholar works pretty much just like Google with the added bonus of only searching scholarly resources.

Summit

Summit is the combined catalog of 35 Pacific Northwest academic libraries--this means you have access to more than 22 million items! Visit Summit to find out more.

Remember it takes 3 business days to get your items from Summit. When items are ready for pickup you will receive an email at your PCC email address or you can check the status by logging into your My Library Record account.

You can also visit these libraries in person. Check out the list of participating schools. Some likely candidates include:

MLA Citation

Handouts & Help

Want more help with a particular database? Prefer a printed handout? Try these:

And when in doubt -- Ask A Librarian!