Jonathan+Fosberry


 * SOURCES || Summon || Catalogue || eBooks/Ebrary || Databases ||
 * Advantages ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Disadvantages ||  ||   ||   ||   ||

How To Use EBSCO Guide

EBSCO is a powerful online referencing system. EBSCO offers databases from leading information providers. EBSCO is a US based system that is easy to use and has a lot of options for refining searches. There are a lot of resources available for EBSCO and the help system is extremely detailed for whatever problems the user may have. To access EBSCO visit the Notre Dame homepage ([]) go to the library link. Go to the databases tab and scroll down to the database named "Ebsco". To conduct a basic search choose the database you wish to search, enter the keywords of what you are going to search and then choose any additional options to refine it and click search. The most useful limiters on the EBSCO search is; Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals; Published Date; Publication Type; Document Type. The difference between an abstract and a full text is that an abstract is just a small review of what the topic of the document is while the full text is the full document. An abstract is smaller and to the topic so it is used by people to see if the full text is relevant to their topic. To conduct a subject search click choose databases then choose the subject you are searching. This is useful because it allows you to search databases which only contain information that are relevant to your topic. To refine you searches go to advanced search and choose the options you want to refine your search to. There is an option at the top right called "Help" click that to bring up the help page. To access help click the "Help" button on the top right and choose the section you need help for or conduct a search by what you need help for. Some of EBSCOs useful tutorials are; Advanced Search - Guided Style; Advanced Search - Single Find. To access EBSCO off campus you need to pay for the service.
 * Who is Ebsco?
 * What does Ebsco offer?
 * Critical review – strengths and weaknesses (consider country bias, ease of use, resources available, help)
 * How to access Ebsco?
 * How to conduct a basic search?
 * What are your most useful limiters?
 * Knowing the difference between an abstract and full text.
 * How to conduct a subject search and its usefulness?
 * How to refine your searches
 * How to get help using Ebsco?
 * Accessing help
 * Useful tutorials.
 * How to access Ebsco off campus?
 * What do you think is important?