Information Literacy Assignment:
Using InfoTrac Database

Task:

For your proposed research topic, write a list of keywords or search terms you might use to search for information about this topic. Locate articles on your particular topic by selecting the InfoTrac database from the "Quick Links" pull down menu on the library home page.

Conduct initial searches using the keywords and terms from your proposed list.

  • The default search setting for InfoTrac is a subject search.  Did your initial search terms lead you to a main subject heading, with the option to narrow by "Subdivision" and view articles?  Or did you have to switch to a basic keyword search in order to retrieve articles that matched your search terms?
  • List all the terms searched, and the number of relevant articles returned.  For example, "I used the combined search women AND entrepreneur to find information about business women in entrepreneurial roles. This search yielded 15 relevant full-text articles and citations."
  • Locate at least five of these articles by selecting the Search for Full Text icon, or by performing a Journal search for the journal title in the Library Catalog. How many of your articles are available via full-text online? How many of these articles are located in Ramsey Library's collection? Are any of the articles available from ASU or WCU?
  • List bibliographic information for five articles that you might want to use for your research.

Purpose:

  • Provides practice in using an electronic periodical index to access information.

  • Teaches the mechanics of searching.

  • Provides practice using a bibliographic citation style.

To complete this assignment, it will be helpful to review the following information:

Adapted from Memorial University Libraries Ideas for Library/Information Assignments, Memorial University of Newfoundland, (c)2004.

Questions?

Confused about searching the InfoTrac database?  Ask a librarian for help at the Research Support Desk (251-6111).

 

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Comments to the Library Web Team. Last updated 27 September 2007.

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