Off The Shelf

What can I say about our new database SocINDEX except, for Human Services topics, it’s a thing of beauty? Here’s a bit more detail.

Best features of SocINDEX with Full Text:

• Fantastic results for all topics remotely related to sociology and human services (including “sexuality and middle adulthood.” HS FirstCourse learners: hint, hint.)

• 19,300 term sociological thesaurus, meaning there are a lot of research shortcuts waiting under the “Subject Terms” tab.

• A large supply of Conference Proceedings. I found this intriguing. Usually, you get those through special grey lit collections or associations.

• Ethnic, racial and urban studies topics galore.

• Substantial Criminology focus. Reportedly, the content here is equivalent to Criminal Justice Abstracts.

• Search alerts – look for the RSS icon after you search. SocINDEX will rerun that same query automatically on a regular basis, and email you the results.

– Erika

Research papers or projects do not usually include a discussion of the research process. Instead research is suppose to be a secretive, solo slog through the dusty Library (…true there isn’t as much dust in the computer age). Research is suppose to be about pain and suffering. Before the Internet that the pain was from trying to get illusive sources from far flung places. Today the pain is usually around trying to make the technology work or having way too much material and not knowing where or how to stop researching. Many people have very interesting research processes that we could all learn from, but how can we share it? The University of Rochester Libraries hired an anthropologist to study what students do to complete their papers. As part of this long term study they gave students paper and markers and asked them to draw out their research and paper-writing process. What does yours look like??

Read the article at:
Carlson, S. (August 17, 2007) An Anthropologist in the Library. Chronicle of Higher Education. 53 (50) pg. A26. Retrieved September 20, 2007 at http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i50/50a02601.htm

-KateP

-KateP

You may have noticed that Lexis Nexis looks very different these days.   They updated their interface, which has reorganized how you access their resources.  Lexis Nexis was already one of the harder databases to search, and there are plenty of confusing things in the new version. 

Here are a few hints that may help you search: 

• On the main search page remember to pick a specific type of source to search.  You can pick several if you want. 
• Use the tabs at the top of the search area to search a specific area, or search by source. 
• Check the navigation menu to the right of the search area.  Here you can access other types of searches or find helpful guides. 
• On the results list page look for ways to limit your results in the menu on the left. 
• Don’t use the back button – use the links at the top of the page to work backwards. 

And, of course, call or email a librarian if you need help.