PERIODICAL AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Your third step in the research process will be to locate periodical and newspaper articles on your topic using a print index, an electronic database index, or an index or search engine on the Internet.

Popular electronic database indexes have almost replaced print indexes in libraries today. However, because most electronic indexing began in the late 1980s, information about topics or events prior to the late 80s should be researched in a print index corresponding to the desired year.

GETTING STARTED

Do you know the difference between an abstract and full-text? Do you know the meanings of periodical, Boolean, citation, keyword? Before rushing into this step in the research process, take a minute to acquaint yourself with some of the basics. And, you must remember to read all periodical and newspaper articles with a critical eye.

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PRINT INDEXES FOR PERIODICAL AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Print indexes continue to be valuable resources in libraries today. Many print indexes, like the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature go back to the early 1900s, and are marvelous for covering topics of a historical nature that will not be indexed in the recent electronic databases, which usually index information back only into the late 80s. Information about topics or events prior to the late 80s should always be researched in a print index corresponding to the desired year.

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ELECTRONIC DATABASES FOR PERIODICAL AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Getting Set Up to Access the Electronic Databases

Remote access to the online databases is contractually limited to the students, faculty and staff of DCCCD. Remote access is a connection from any machine outside the DCCCD network.

To access the DCCCD subscription electronic databases from a remote location, go to http://www.DCCCDd.edu/Current+Students/Libraries/Research+a+Topic/Databases.htm. Choose the database you want to use and click on it. Before the database is delivered to you, a screen will pop-up that asks you to fill in the following information:

1. your name (first and last - eg.: John Smith)
2. your 7 digit student (or employee) ID number
3. your PIN number (your birth month, day, and year - eg.: April 1, 1976 would be 040176 - note: PIN must be 6 digits)
4. Then click on the button that says, "Go To Database."

After you have done this, the system will recognize you as a student currently registered in one of our courses, and you will be allowed access to the subscription electronic database you have chosen.

Click here to go to the "DCCCD subscription electronic databases page."

Important Things to Know about Electronic Databases

The articles in the subscription electronic databases are authoritative sources. In most cases, they are the digital reproductions of actual print materials. The databases add new content daily, so information is always fresh and current.

Be aware that some databases contain indexing to abstracts only, while others index articles containing the full-text. When using an abstract only database, one must first read the abstract (summary) of the article to determine if the article would be useful. If so, then, the magazine must be retrieved and the article photocopied.

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USING THE INTERNET TO LOCATE PERIODICAL & NEWSPAPER ARTICLES