Each year, we trial some databases we don't subscribe to so that the Sofia community can try them out and give us feedback. For the next month, we will have a database trial for the DSM Online from Psychiatry Online.
Take advantage of the coming weeks and try out the database. You will need your Sofia University Library database logins if you are accessing it from off campus. Send feedback to us at katrina.rahn@sofia.edu.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Ebrary Basics
Ebrary is one of our favorite library ebook collections. With over 80,000 full text ebooks on thousands of subjects, you can explore, read, and enjoy for hours.
If you want to get started with ebrary, you might want to watch the following video to get an overview.
If you want to get started with ebrary, you might want to watch the following video to get an overview.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
APA PsycNet Trial
Occasionally the library arranges a free trial of a resource we are considering as an addition to the library collection.
From now until November 22, 2012, we will be trialling PsycNet, APA's platform for all of their databases. While we have most of the APA databases already, we wanted to check out the newest ones on their platform: PsycTherapy and PsycTests.
From the site:
APA PsycNET® is the only search platform designed specifically to deliver APA content. Search and discover vital behavioral science content efficiently with APA PsycNET's uniquely engineered cross-database searching. Benefit from the full integration of APA's precise indexing with the controlled vocabulary of the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms®.
From now until November 22, 2012, we will be trialling PsycNet, APA's platform for all of their databases. While we have most of the APA databases already, we wanted to check out the newest ones on their platform: PsycTherapy and PsycTests.
You will need your library database logins to access this resource from off campus.
From the site:
APA PsycNET® is the only search platform designed specifically to deliver APA content. Search and discover vital behavioral science content efficiently with APA PsycNET's uniquely engineered cross-database searching. Benefit from the full integration of APA's precise indexing with the controlled vocabulary of the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms®.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Alerts and Feeds Save Research Time
All of us have limited time to discover new research and news on our favorite academic topics. There are a few ways you can efficiently track the best and most relevant content.
In ProQuest, you can create a free account and set up unique searches and alerts. These alerts can be as simple or as sophisticated as you need so you can easily set up journal table of contents alerts, author alerts, or topic alerts. Once set up, you can decide how long to receive updates and can return to your account to modify or add to your alerts. Some of our other databases have similar features; at the moment, ProQuest is the most extensive of our database collection in terms of coverage. Consider carefully what subject areas are covered and whether the coverage will meet your research needs.
You can also set up alerts through journal publisher sites. Browse around their site until you find the RSS feed for the table of contents or other article list. Add the RSS feed to your browser or RSS reader. Sometimes, there is an email feature for new tables of contents as well.
Set up a Google Alert for unusual topics or for sites that don't have an RSS feed. This can be especially powerful for very unique topics or areas that span beyond traditional research.
Periodically review your feeds and alerts. What feeds are the most effective? What alerts are sending more than you expected? Delete, add, and adjust accordingly. These are only as good as they are useful to you. Try to be clear about how much is too much.
Beyond these general instructions, I have a few additional techniques that might be useful.
Follow a friend/colleague on a blog, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn who seems to have his/her finger on the pulse of the topic. It is okay to let them do the work for you. You can thank them by liking or retweeting, or by thanking them directly. If they are not yet a friend, you might contact them and arrange to talk to them the next time you are attending the same conference and buy them a cup of coffee. You probably have a lot in common.
Set up alerts to go automatically into a specific email folder. You don't have to read them if you don't have time, because you are creating an archive of your own. Search that folder using a keyword or phrase when you are ready.
Start a topic-centered blog and ask colleagues with similar interests to collaborate on the blog. This is a great way to share what you learn, even if briefly stated, and extends your reach through shared responsibility.
This process can be fun. Experiment with it and let me know if you have questions.
- Identify great journals. For browsing new general topic information or keeping up with your field, identify the best journals for your topic or field.
- Track specific authors. Some authors will focus on your area of interest. Tracking their work will help you track the field.
- Track your topics. In tracking a topic of interest to you, it will be important to formulate your search terms carefully to keep relevance high.
In ProQuest, you can create a free account and set up unique searches and alerts. These alerts can be as simple or as sophisticated as you need so you can easily set up journal table of contents alerts, author alerts, or topic alerts. Once set up, you can decide how long to receive updates and can return to your account to modify or add to your alerts. Some of our other databases have similar features; at the moment, ProQuest is the most extensive of our database collection in terms of coverage. Consider carefully what subject areas are covered and whether the coverage will meet your research needs.
You can also set up alerts through journal publisher sites. Browse around their site until you find the RSS feed for the table of contents or other article list. Add the RSS feed to your browser or RSS reader. Sometimes, there is an email feature for new tables of contents as well.
Set up a Google Alert for unusual topics or for sites that don't have an RSS feed. This can be especially powerful for very unique topics or areas that span beyond traditional research.
Periodically review your feeds and alerts. What feeds are the most effective? What alerts are sending more than you expected? Delete, add, and adjust accordingly. These are only as good as they are useful to you. Try to be clear about how much is too much.
Beyond these general instructions, I have a few additional techniques that might be useful.
Follow a friend/colleague on a blog, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn who seems to have his/her finger on the pulse of the topic. It is okay to let them do the work for you. You can thank them by liking or retweeting, or by thanking them directly. If they are not yet a friend, you might contact them and arrange to talk to them the next time you are attending the same conference and buy them a cup of coffee. You probably have a lot in common.
Set up alerts to go automatically into a specific email folder. You don't have to read them if you don't have time, because you are creating an archive of your own. Search that folder using a keyword or phrase when you are ready.
Start a topic-centered blog and ask colleagues with similar interests to collaborate on the blog. This is a great way to share what you learn, even if briefly stated, and extends your reach through shared responsibility.
This process can be fun. Experiment with it and let me know if you have questions.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
New APA Style Guide for Electronic References
A few weeks ago
we were notified that the new APA Style Guide to Electronic References was
available for institutional licensing. We purchased it and placed it on two
sites for protected access: Angel and ebrary. This is licensed content that is
for your personal use only.
The ebrary copy
will function as a reference copy (reading, printing out sections), etc.
The Angel copy
will be available for download as a PDF by students, staff, and faculty. This
PDF copy can be kept or printed for personal use.
Ebrary
- Go to http://site.ebrary.com/lib/itp/docDetail.action?docID=80093361&p00=apa
- If you are off campus, log in using your Library Database Username and Password.
Library Site on Angel
(please log in before accessing)
- Go to http://itp.angellearning.com/default.asp
- Log in as usual.
- Click on the Library link under institutional resources. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the APA Guide to Electronic References 6th Ed. document. You will be able to download the pdf document.
Please note that
this document only addresses citations for electronic materials. In a rapidly
changing world, we hope this will be of use to you.
Let us know if
you have any problem accessing this document.
More Information from
the Publisher:
Adapted throughout to meet the latest reference standards from the Sixth Edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association®, this guide is the go-to source for referencing online and web-based research materials. Available in an easy-to-use PDF format, the APA Style Guide to Electronic References provides an authoritative reference guide to help navigate the ambiguous world of reference sources found online, including:
- The key elements to include when referencing electronic sources, especially those with incomplete or missing information
- Common usage of digital object identifiers (DOIs) in validating reference material
- Reference information for websites, Internet message boards, electronic mailing lists, and social media
- Reference information for data sets, software, and online measurement instruments
With a wealth of detailed examples, the APA Style Guide to Electronic References will be an indispensable resource for anyone conducting online research in the social sciences.
- And much more
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Exploring Films in the Internet Archive
The Internet Archive was founded on a bold premise: that it is possible and necessary to archive the best content on the web. The project has matured over the years and they have archived some wonderful content including the Cultural and Academic Films collection. In the collection you will find Dorothy Fadiman's work, the work of the Khan Academy, TED talks, and much more.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
New Bibliographies in the Library Catalog
We have added bibliographies to the library catalog. The first subject bibliographies are the Clinical Video Collection List and Writing and Publishing Bibliography. We also have a new titles bibliography.
To access them, go to the library catalog. From the top menu, select Lists and select the appropriate type of list. Subject bibliographies are called Special Titles.
Some of the lists will only be relevant to patrons who visit campus. Some will be a mix and some will be lists of ebooks available to all of our patrons. You can click on the title of the item to find out more information about any specific book or video.
Special Titles lists will be updated periodically with new content.
Current Special Titles include:
Clinical Video Collection List - Includes DVDs and VHS tapes.
Writing and Publishing Bibliography - Includes Ebooks and print books.
Current New Titles include:
Selected New Ebooks 6/2012
We will be adding more bibliographies soon.
Questions? Please email us at refdesk@sofia.edu
To access them, go to the library catalog. From the top menu, select Lists and select the appropriate type of list. Subject bibliographies are called Special Titles.
Some of the lists will only be relevant to patrons who visit campus. Some will be a mix and some will be lists of ebooks available to all of our patrons. You can click on the title of the item to find out more information about any specific book or video.
Special Titles lists will be updated periodically with new content.
Current Special Titles include:
Clinical Video Collection List - Includes DVDs and VHS tapes.
Writing and Publishing Bibliography - Includes Ebooks and print books.
Current New Titles include:
Selected New Ebooks 6/2012
We will be adding more bibliographies soon.
Questions? Please email us at refdesk@sofia.edu
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