Using the databases selection tool—DIALINDEX
The free databases selection tool, DIALINDEX, simplifies database selection for us by arranging databases by subject. DIALINDEX lets us preview search results across a group of databases. This enables us to identify databases that contain records on the subject. Once we know which database(s) has information on our topic, we can redo the search in the best one.
The search below is demonstrated using DialogWeb. You will have a chance to try searching DialogWeb on your own for the practice exercises at the end of the lesson.
For a brief step-by-step review of the DialogWeb log on procedure, click here.
To get started on DialogWeb, I will go to http://www.dialogweb.com and logon by entering my user ID and password. Tip 1
I click Go to Command Search and when the Command Search main page appears, I click Databases.
After clicking Databases, a list of subject categories displays. Now, I must choose from the eight (8) main subject categories. I'll click News. We will see that each category is further divided into focused search topics.
For Brian's search, I will select the News by Region category to display because I want news from the United States.
A list of regions appears from which I can select the Americas category to get news from the U.S. Remember that the type of information we need will direct our choice of category.
In this case, I want to see if there is coverage of Sony's PlayStation 2 product in major newspapers throughout the United States. I then click the Major US Newspapers category that provides a listing of U.S. newspapers with major circulation.
Go to the next page to continue
the search.
