Communication Studies 001 (Hunter) : Informative Speech: Databases

• Paid for by the Library so that you can have free access to scholarly information.
• Content is evaluated for authority and accuracy.
• Information is stable, meaning it doesn't disappear after a period of time.
• Through subject pages it is easy to find databases with information that relates specifically to your topic
• Offer options to quickly limit or expand your search results to find the best articles for your topic.

The Internet:

• Many sources are free, but others require you to pay.
• Information is not evaluated for accuracy and may be incorrect, misleading or biased.
• Websites come and go.
• Is not organized.
• Search engines (like Google) often return an overwhelming number of results.  These search engines offer no quick way of narrowing your results to ensure they relate to your topic.

To access databases off campus, you enter your W number as your username (begin with a CAPITAL W).  Your password is: the first two letters of your first name, the first two letters of your last name, and the last FOUR digits of your W Number.  To learn more, take this tutorial (you will need Flash):

How to Get into Databases Off Campus

If you still have problems getting in, take this tutorial:

What to Do if You STILL Cannot Get into Databases Off Campus

The Library has also created tutorials that give you tips on E-Mailing and printing articles successfully.  Take both of them so you can learn how to save money while getting your articles!  You will need Flash to view.

How to Email Articles From Databases

Save Money Printing from Databases