WEEK 3-Online libraries and database

Lecture summary

This week's lecture was an introduction into using the library data base to locate journal articles on various topics such as economical impact of global warming and many more. In order to obtain journal article from a credible source, you are advice to use the Proquest 5000 search engine. You can get to it by going to http://www.ecu.edu.au/library/. In the lecture, it was stated that various online libraries only shows catalogue and at times it can depict out of date information.

Tutorial

In this session, we began by reading an article on useful search tips and functions. Examples of the search tips included:

1. Ensure most important keywords are place in front
2. Use double quotation marks on phrases to ensure it's searched as it is, in the same order.
3. Combine phrases with key words using double quotation and plus and or minus.
4. Use plus or minus to force inclusion or exclusion of word
5. If unsure of the spelling of a word, write in short form.
6. Ensure there are no spaces or between key word and sign i.e + Or -
7. Be sure that the search engine which you use, does not contain a stop word (words which it, ignores, i.e. and, or).
8. Use CAP when typing boolean operators (words which increases or decrease the search field) e.g AND, OR AND NOT/NOT.
9. To find your keyword in a document, use the find function.
10. Type keyword or phrases in lower form to get both lower and capitalised version of the search.

Next, we searched for a journal article which talks about the economical impact of global warming on bussiness. I managed to find an article which was very informing. I am unsure of the credibility of the author as it was anonymous but i am assuming it is from a credible source as it was published in New Hampshire Business Review. This article can be accessed by clicking on the following links http://0-proquest.umi.com.library.ecu.edu.au/pqdweb?index=13&did=1319237771&SrchMode=1&sid=6&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1206511856&clientId=7582

The last activity for this week was generated around the medlineplus website. To access these activities, click on the link: http://medlineplus.gov/

I was particularly interested to know more about cataracts. This is a condition which involves clouding of the eye. It can be caused by an injury to the eye or if a family has a history of such condition. It cataracts disallow patient to view sharp lift, a surgery may take place, where the cataract will be removed through either one of two procedures call, "phacoemulsification" or extracapsuler surgery. The lens will then be replaced using artificial lens which require no maintenance.

I think that school childrens (secondary) and those affected with certain conditions are more likely to use such services. School children could use it to obtain information for a given a assessment concerning the various topics. Those affected or those with affected loved one's may use this service to also obtain more information on the condition for a better understanding or a starting ground. The search tips which i learned today is very useful because now i can do my research for upc0002 more effectively. I can choose to include or exclude certain words from my search term simply by using plus and minus.

Reading 1: Finding what you want on the web

There is enough reference materials available on the web now, therefore the presence of large encyclopedia is no longer required. One must make sense of online material and decide of credibility of the site in which such information was retrieved. If you have found links from a promising site, ensure you have supporting evidence considering some of the content appear odd. Blogs are examples of search places which act as pointers to other online resources. Furthermore, the use of directory is an effective way of ensuring the information you retireve is accurate. Other than that, google is also a very useful search engine which tell you "where to find the stuff". Other search engine include Meta search engine, which search several other placse and organise the results in catagories and clusters. Apart from that, there are also pay sites such as "Maine infonet". These are also useful as they ensure accuracy of information and also doesn't require any filtering of advertisment.

Reading 2 Bare bones lession 7: Basic Search Tips

In order to get the best possible search result on the web, there are several techniques which you must apply. Some example of the search tips are as follows:

• Use (+) or (-) to force the inclusion or exclusion of a word from the search result. E.g. + drug - sport


• Make sure your most important keyword go in front of the search. e.g "dog breed family pet choose"


• Double quotation mark ensure phrases is searched as it is. e.g. "who let the dog out"


• Combine phrases and keyword by using double quotation and (+) & (-)sign. e.g. +cowboys+"wild west"-football-dallas


• Use the find command to look for your keyword within a document


• Typing keyword in lower case allow you to find both upper and lower case result for the search. e.g. Dog or dog


• Always use CAP when typing boolean operators (e.g OR) and ensure they are enclosed in a bracket. e.g Yosmite (camp grounds OR Reservation)`