Instructional/Tutorial

TSTC Library: Online Databases
1.) Explain when needed. (When assigned a research paper or just need to retrieve information for self.) Whether you need articles, books, or journals, you can find it on the TSTC databases.

2.) Show how to get there: Type in http://www.tstc.edu/ on the address bar at the top, select the campus that you are attending then click the link at the very bottom of the site that says “library”.

3.) Click Online Databases link to the left of the site at the top. It will prompt you to a page that requires you to enter your username and password. (This is the same information you use to log in at the actual campus library)

4.) The screen will prompt you to the databases that are available. Take a moment to read each database to see which one would suitable for your topic and you.

5.) Once you have figured out which database you will be using then click on the link. For example, I will be using Medline because I want to find out more information on child obesity. (Medline would be more about journal articles.) Go ahead and type in what you are looking for on the search bar and click search.

6.) A page with the search results will be shown. Click on the one you find appealing and it will give you the information on that topic including the date that is was created, loaded, by who, the source, database used etc.

7.) If you need to help citing where you got the information then this will come in handy. On the bottom right of the journal article there are some icons: printer, e-mail, save as, cite this article and etc. Click on the icon “cite this article” and a screen will pop up with several options with the proper citations in a different format. Choose whichever is best for you.

8.) At the top of the citation format it will provide: NOTE: Review the instructions at EBSCO Support Site and make any necessary corrections before using. Pay special attention to personal names, capitalization, and dates. Always consult your library resources for the exact formatting and punctuation guidelines. Just to be on the safe side, always go someone that is familiar with citing proper formats to make sure it is done correctly.