How to Search a Database

Databases can be used to find journal articles, newspaper articles and conference papers. The latest research findings, discussion on topical issues, literature reviews and scholarly debates are often published in the form of journal articles or conference papers.

Steps required for a successful search

  1. Think about your topic and what is required for the assignment.
  2. List the keyword(s) or phrases that could be used to describe the major concept(s) or subject(s), including alternative words or phrases that mean the same thing (synonyms) and alternative spellings.
  3. List any qualifying terms that could be used to limit your search by location, time period or organisation.
  4. Look at the list of databases available to CSU staff & students [the subject lists include brief descriptions] and select the database(s) which may be relevant to your topic: eg. business ethics may be covered in a database from the Commerce list, such as: Business Source Premier, Emerald Management Xtra Complete, Wiley InterScience, Current Contents Connect, or APA-FT.
  5. Click on the link to the database that you have selected and type in your CSU Online USERNAME and PASSWORD when prompted.
  6. If you are not familiar with searching the database that you have selected, use the databases online help screens to find out how to conduct your search. The help screens generally include a description of the type of resources included in the database, instructions on how to combine search terms using boolean logic, truncation and proximity of keywords or phrases.
  7. Look at the results of your search, and identify any relevant articles.
  8. Note the Subject Headings (also called descriptors), words or phrases that have been used to describe the item(s), and repeat your search using these keywords. You may need to repeat this step a number of times, or even try another database.
  9. Finding nothing - repeat steps 1 - 4 above. You may have selected the wrong keyword(s) or database to use for the topic. Try using more general terms to broaden your search.
    Library reference staff or your lecturer, may be able to help you select appropriate keywords to use for your search. You can contact Library reference staff by using the Ask a Question Web Form.
  10. Locate the article. Some databases include the full text of the journal article. When you find the article that you require, you can follow a link directly to the full text.

However, most databases only include a brief description of the article [author; title; journal title; volume and issue numbers; page numbers] and you will then need to search the library catalogue by the name of the journal, to see if the library subscribes to the journal and holds the issue that you require (more details).

NB: This page provides a brief introduction to the skills required to get the most out of the databases. Further help in searching databases is available via the Databases tutorial in InfoSkills@CSU.

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