Assignment #5

SUBJECT-SPECIFIC PERIODICAL DATABASES:
USING WILSONWEB OMNIFILE DATABASE

Due: February 29

Reading:

• Reviewing Search Results & Revising Search Strategy
• Subject-Specific Periodical Databases
• Using WilsonWeb Databases

Use the OmniFile Full-Text Mega database on the WilsonWeb Website (http://hwwilsonweb.com). To access WilsonWeb from off-campus, you must get a User name and Password from the instructor.

1. Each team, as a group, should communicate by e-mail to:

• rewrite or change (if necessary) the research question that you used for Assignment 4, and
• complete a search worksheet for the question (reuse or change your previous worksheet, as needed).

2. Each individual student should: select the OmniFile Full-Text Mega database on the WilsonWeb Website and follow the Using WilsonWeb Databases directions.

3. Complete a search on your research question. Search each concept separately, then combine sets in the "History" screen. (Try using truncation, if appropriate.)

4. After you have completed all of your searches, go back to the Search History page and save this page as a text file with the file name: 5-4.txt.

5. Mark the records for the three best articles on your topic (by clicking in the selection box at the upper left of each record), display these three records (by clicking on the "Show Marked" button at the top or bottom of each page, then save this page (the 3 records) as a text file with the file name: 5-5.txt. Email this file to each of the other members of your team and to me.

6. Identify whether the journals in which your three articles are published are located in: a) Skyline Library, b) any of the public libraries in San Mateo County, c) at S.F. State University Library or d) any other library in the area.
To answer this question, use the Skyline Library List of Periodicals and the Melvyl Periodicals database explained in the Finding Which Library Carries a Periodical section of the "Subject-Specific Periodical Databases" reading.

7. Optional: Use Magazines for Libraries (available in the "Ready Reference" section behind the Skyline Library's Reference desk) to look up at least one of the journals in which your three articles are published. Photocopy the entry for the journal and fax (650-738-4149 attn: Eric) or deliver the photocopy to me. On the photocopy answer the following: Is the journal refereed? How often is it published? Is it published or sponsored by an academic organization? If so, which one?

8. Briefly explain how using the Wilson OmniFile Full-Text Mega database compared to using the InfoTrac Academic ASAP database in "Advanced Search" mode?

9. Members of each team should use e-mail to discuss:

• What were the titles of the 3 best articles each member found on your topic?
• What were the titles of the 3 best articles from those that all the members found?

Use the discussion board to post the article title, author, journal title and date for the articles your team agreed were the three best on your research question. Briefly explain your choices.

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT

E-mail your attached files for questions #4 and 5 (be sure you saved both files as text files with the file names specified above) and your answers to questions #6, 7 (optional) and 8 to: brenner@smcccd.cc.ca.us

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These materials may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: LSCI 105 Online Research. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Eric Brenner at brenner@smcccd.cc.ca.us