The directions on this part of the screen will tell you what to do on the library's website on the right.
Click the forward arrow in the dark gray box below to go to the next step.
...in one of several library search engines known as databases.
From the library’s homepage on the right, click on “Articles and Databases” below the main search box (it’s next to “More Research”).
Then, click the arrow below for the next step.
Think of databases as online search engines. The library pays for access to many search engines that are not free to the public.
Scroll down and look for the two categories the library uses to organize databases.
Which two categories does the UT Libraries use to organize databases?
...you will usually find appropriate articles in the subject "General Topics."
If you are in a 300- or 400-level course, you may want to search in particular subject databases, such as "Business & Economics" databases, or "Health Sciences" databases.
Click on "General Topics" now.
...are multidisciplinary, with articles from most every academic discipline.
The databases that are most helpful for students in 100- and 200-level courses are often:
Let's learn how to use Academic Search Premier. Click on that link now.
If you are off-campus, you will be asked to login using your NetID and password. (Remember, most of these databases are not free--your tuition helps pay for access!)
…is the company that provides this database.
The name/title of the database you’re now searching is Academic Search Premier.
Academic Search Premier finds articles published in:
We'll try a search in the next step.
Type texting while driving into the search box, then click Search.
How many results did you find about texting while driving?
…are identified by icons to the left of each item.
Scroll down and look through the icons.
Do you see any results from newspapers (news)?
From magazines (periodicals)?
From peer-reviewed, scholarly (academic) journals?
Now, a slightly tougher question: Can you determine how the results are sorted or ranked?
…refers to how results are displayed, based on criteria that put result #1 at the top of the list, result #2 below it, and so on.
Toward the top right of the result list, look for “Date Newest.” In that drop-down menu, choose “Relevance” instead.
You’ve just reorganized your results from displaying by date, which is the default, to a display based on which results are most relevant to your search terms.
Remember this – it’s an important step in finding a good article!
…are mixed in with results from newspapers, popular magazines, and trade magazines in our current list.
To find only peer-reviewed journals, look at the left side of the page under “Refine Search.”
Under “Refine your results,” tick the box next to “Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Journals,” then update your results.
You should find fewer results, because you are limiting to only scholarly sources.
The search texting while driving is a phrase. Most library search engines prefer keyword searches.
In the question What are the effects of texting while driving?, there are two keywords: texting, driving.
Changing your search to a keyword search will probably bring back more results.
Change your search to texting AND driving, and click Search.
Check to make sure you are still limiting to scholarly articles and sorting by relevance.
Which search found a greater number of results?
If you click on the title of an article, you will see several helpful links on the right side of the page.
Click on a title and scroll to the right.
You may:
Note that the “Cite” shortcut or link does not always cite the article 100% accurately. Compare the suggested citation with guidelines and examples from trusted sources, such as Purdue University’s OWL (Online Writing Lab), or your style handbook (e.g., Hodges Harbrace Handbook).
The library has many other databases or online search engines. Each one includes information from different journals and sources.
Consider these others:
…and have trouble identifying good keywords, or aren’t sure which database (search engine) to use, or can’t get the full text of an article, ask a librarian!
Librarians are available by chat (yes, chat!), text (yes, text, too!), email, phone, or in person. Librarians will help you find sources, evaluate those sources, and then cite them.
To contact a librarian, go to: http://www.lib.utk.edu/askusnow/.
What did you think of this tutorial?