InfoTrac Sources
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
InfoTrac Sources
06/10 KRB
12-13-10: I made a minor change to the first InfoTrac database mentioned below. I changed the name of the database from InfoTrac Custom Newspapers to InfoTrac Newsstand. InfoTrac Newsstand replaced InfoTrac Custom Newspapers in September 2010. The search techniques remain unchanged. (KRB)
TRAINER NOTE: The InfoTrac databases discussed in the following demonstration are on the PowerSearch interface, which should already be familiar to the class as the interface is covered in other MeL classes. Because of this, we will not go into any real detail about the interface.
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers:
Start the demonstration by having the class find INFOTRAC CUSTOM NEWSPAPERS in the alphabetical list of databases at mel.org and open it.
Gale's InfoTrac Custom Newspapers has almost 1000 newspapers from across the U.S. and around the world.
1. Have the class click on the ADVANCED SEARCH tab at the top of the screen. In the first search box, type Stephen King and change the drop-down menu to SUBJECT. In the second search box, type book review and change the drop-down menu to DOCUMENT TYPE.
Why did we select Stephen King as a Subject instead of an Author? The reason is that if we had selected him as the author, he would need to be the author who wrote the book review. We are looking for book reviews about Stephen King's works. That is why we need to use Subject in this case.
Click on the SEARCH button.
2. Let them look over the results list. We will not be "marking" any records, but explain to the class that if they go from one Gale database to another, any marked records will not carry over to the next database searched. This is different from the FirstSearch databases where marked records carry over when moving from database to database.
Academic OneFile:
Have the class click on the CHANGE DATABASES link at the top of the screen. Locate the ACADEMIC ONEFILE link on the Gale menu page and click on it.
Academic OneFile contains the academic journals and news sources specifically aimed at 4-year institutions and graduate school programs. It also contains multimedia and some reference materials.
1. Have the class click on the ADVANCED SEARCH tab at the top of the screen. Type Renaissance in the first search box and change the drop-down menu to SUBJECT. Type religion in the second search box and leave the drop-down menu as Keyword. Lastly, type book review in the third search box and change the drop-down menu to DOCUMENT TYPE. To the left of the third search box, change the drop-down menu to NOT.
The reason why we are using the Boolean operator "Not" is that when this example was first tried with just Renaissance and religion, quite a number of results were book reviews, and we have already looked at searching for book reviews in InfoTrac Custom Newspapers. Thus, to eliminate book reviews in this search, we need to use "Not."
Click on the SEARCH button.
2. Let the class look over the list of results. Point out that the results are divided into tabs for different types of sources. Because we are in Academic OneFile, the "Academic Journals" tab is listed first.
Gale Virtual Reference Library:
Have the class click on the CHANGE DATABASES link at the top of the screen. Locate the GALE VIRTUAL REFERENCE LIBRARY link on the Gale menu page and click on it.
TRAINER NOTE: As of July 2009, Gale Virtual Reference Library will remain on the PowerSearch 1.0 platform and not change to the 2.0 platform. The understanding is that Gale will eventually make a switch sometime in the next year.
TRAINER NOTE: As of March 2010, the 12 GVRL titles that MeL has now display. Prior to this, there was no way to change the default setting to display all of the titles.
1. The three titles that would be most helpful when searching on Arts and Humanities topics are the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, the Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, and Countries and Their Cultures. Have the class click on the link for the ST. JAMES ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POPULAR CULTURE.
2. Point out the information and description about the title in the middle of the page. There are links for the Table of Contents, Index, and List of Illustrations. On the right side of the screen, there is a small Tools box. On the left side, there is a Search box. Type jazz in the search box and click on the GO button.
3. Let the class look over the results list. Have them locate the link for JAZZ, written by Tad Richards, and click on it.
4. Point out the ReadSpeaker feature at the top of the record. Related subjects are located on the left side of the screen. A Tools box is on the right side of the screen. Also point out that our search term "jazz" is highlighted in red throughout the article.
5. Have the class go to the search box on the left side of the screen and type Motown over our previous "jazz" search. InfoTrac does not have a Clear button to start fresh. Click on the GO button.
6. Let the class look over the results list. Have them locate the link for MOTOWN, written by Willie Collins, and click on it.
7. The same features pointed out with our previous search are shown here. Our search term "Motown" is highlighted in red throughout the article.
TRAINER NOTE: The "Michigana: Sources in U.S. History Online" database was added to MeL in March 2010. Drawn from the Sabin collection and other Gale sources, this database will be very helpful in providing curriculum support as it contains primary source material dealing with Michigan history. If there is time, let the class take a quick look to see what is available in the database. The database can be accessed from either the MeL Databases page or the Gale menu page.
Ask for questions. Have the class do the exercises.
This service is funded in part by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan. Additional project support comes from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
