Database Research Worksheet

Hello,

I require assistance in completing a research assignment related to databases. Please carefully read the attached file to fully understand the task before proceeding.

Based on the file, I’d like you to:

1. Select a database from the ones mentioned in the file.
2. Conduct a search within the chosen database, select an appropriate source, and then format its citation using MLA 8.
3. Summarize the main ideas and conclusions from the source in approximately 50-100 words.
4. Elaborate on the source’s reliability, explaining the reasons that make it trustworthy.
5. Explain how the source assists in achieving the research objective.
6. Suggest other types of sources that might be beneficial for future research.

I look forward to seeing the outcomes. Thank you for your cooperation.

Database Research Worksheet
Name:
In this activity, you will begin to complete the following research tasks:
A. Prove that the problem your group identified is a significant problem that is worth pursuing
as a project topic.
B. Demonstrate how other people have tried to solve this (or a similar) problem.
1. Each group member will choose one of the following databases to search. Make sure each group
member picks a different one! Highlight which database you chose.
Psychology Databases – For topics related to
computer issues and psychological issues
A. APA PsychArticles
B. APA Psych Info
C. Psychology & Behavioral Sciences
Collection
Criminal Justice databases – For topics related
to computers and crimes
D. Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full
Text
E. Criminal Justice ProQuest
Computer Topics
G. Advanced Technologies & Aerospace
Database (ProQuest – formerly the
Computer Science Collection)
Education
H. Professional Development Collection
(Ebsco)
I. ERIC: Educational Resources
Information Center (through EBSCO)
Not sure where to start? Try a
multidisciplinary database
J. Academic Search Premier
K. MainFILE
L. MasterFILE Premier
F. IEEE Computer Science Digital Library
2. Perform a series of searches in your assigned database to try to find sources that will provide
evidence that will help you accomplish your research task. In the table below, write down the key
words, Boolean operators, filters (such as “Peer Reviewed”), and/or other means you used to
narrow your results in three completely different searches of your database. Then record the
number of results.
Key words
Boolean operators and/or
filters used
Number of results
Search 1
Search 2
Search 3
3. Which of your three searches was most successful? Explain. (Remember, MORE sources is not
better. Ideally, you would be able to narrow the search down to less than 50 sources.)
4. Choose one source that you found in your searches that helps you with your assigned research
task. Record the following information about that source.
A. Author(s):
B. Title:
C. Container:
D. Year published:
E. Type of source:
An article from an online database has a specific way of being cited in MLA 8. You need to list the
online databases (e.g. LexisNexis, ProQuest, JSTOR, ScienceDirect) and other subscription services as
a container. Provide the title of the database italicized before the DOI or URL. If a DOI is not provided,
use the URL instead. The access date is optional.
Here is a template:
Author(s). “Title of article.” First Container: Journal Title, vol. #, no. #, date, pp. 3-3. Second Container:
Database, doi.
Here is an example:
Alonso, Alvaro, and Julio A. Camargo. “Toxicity of Nitrite to Three Species of Freshwater
Invertebrates.” Environmental Toxicology, vol. 21, no. 1, 3 Feb. 2006, pp. 90-94. Wiley Online
Library, doi:10.1002/tox.20155.
As you can see, the Works Cited entries use a hanging indent. There is more than one way to achieve
the hanging indent. Here is one way: Highlight the entry → Right click → select “paragraph” → Find
the “indentation” section → Find the “special” section → Choose “hanging.”
The Works Cited entries will also be double spaced. After you writing your citation, make sure you
highlight it and then click on the Line and Paragraph spacing button to change the spacing to 2.0.
5. Write the correctly formatted MLA 8 Works Cited entry for your source. (Make sure you use the
hanging indent!)
6. Summarize (in your own words) the main ideas and conclusions and the kind of evidence it
provides. (approximately 50-100 words)
7. What makes this source reliable? Be thorough in evaluating and explaining. (approximately 50100 words)
8. How does this source help you accomplish your research task?
9. What other types of sources (that you were not able to locate) might you look for in another
database that could help you with your task?