Persuasive EssaysAcademic Research

to Support Arguments

MIHS Databases – Access from MIHS Library Web Pagehttp://www.mercerislandschools.org/domain/100

Database: Authoritative, editorially reviewed Searchable collection of published literature Stable content, can’t be edited. Access via pay-wall Value-added searching: find related info, use

organizational tools, access citations Wiki: Open public editing; good for background/basic

information but not as an academic source Google: Unfiltered firehose of Good, Bad, Ugly.

Results do not include 90+ % of database content. User’s job: filter for quantity, quality and level; retrieval set still less precise than with databases.

Why Databases? Why not Wikis, Google Results?

“Issues” Sources at MIHS

Simplify research question to a few key words. Brainstorm synonyms for these.

Example: Internet, World Wide Web, Online

Consider the relationship between keywords. Express it as a verb. Examples:

Facebook increases Social Isolation Skype reduces Stress for foreign workers

Construct your Search

Database: Points of View

FEATURESBrowse by Category - RecommendedList of Publications IndexedCreate Personal Folder – save, shareCitation help, Citations included

Database: eLibrary

FEATURESTopic Browse – Recommended List of Publications IndexedPersonal Folder

eLibrary Keyword Search

Keyword Search Results: Suggests alternate searchesBrainstorm synonyms; combine terms

One “good” article will lead you to others: see Document Topics at end of article. Search subject terms from that list.

Database: Proquest Research Library

FEATURES

Create Personal Folder

Database: Issues & Controversies

FEATURESSubject Index – Follow links!

Database: SIRS Researcher

FEATURESSubject Browse Topic BrowseVisual Browse

Visual Browse