1. DATABASES
Finding Articles Using the Massasoit Community
College Library’s Databases.

2. In this tutorial you will learn
 How to find the Massasoit database page
 Why databases may be the best sources for a
project
 How to access the Massasoit databases on
campus and off campus
 How to select the best database for your research

3. WHY ARE DATABASES USEFUL FOR THIS
PROJECT?
 Databases contain material from newspapers,
magazines, scholarly journals, and, sometimes,
books and websites
 Databases contain information gathered from
reliable sources
 Databases contain current information
 Databases are valued by your professors

4. WHERE ARE THESE DATABASES LOCATED?
 Find our databases from the Database link on the
Library homepage:

5. SELECTING A DATABASE
 Our databases are arranged alphabetically and by
subject (note that there is also a trial database link).
Use the Alphabetical List to access a database you
know; use the Subject List when you want to see
what disciplines are covered by our databases:

6. SELECTING A DATABASE
 Use the Subject List to choose a database in a
discipline or subject area. For comp 1 research,
News Sources, Academic/Scholarly, or General are
good places to begin a search.

7. SELECTING A DATABASE
 Use the Alphabetical List if you know the name of
your database; then select the alpha letter
corresponding to the name of the database. For
example, to use the Opposing Viewpoints database
click on the “O.”

8. USING A DATABASE
 Choose the database in the resulting list to access.
Look for a search
box and enter
your topic.

9. USING A DATABASE
 For the search topic death penalty, use quotes
around the phrase and add juvenile to narrow the
search. The resulting search string looks like this:
“death penalty” AND juvenile
 Fifteen viewpoints and many other usable articles
were in the results:

10. ACCESSING THE ARTICLE
 Click on the highlighted link to open the article.
 This database offers many features: listening to the
article, printing, emailing, even citing:

11. OFF CAMPUS DATABASE USE
 Databases are available off-campus with a Library
barcode.
 Register for a barcode in person at the circulation
desk or online from the link on our homepage .
 Proof of student status must be provided to register:
 In person with a Massasoit ID
 By using your Massasoit email when registering online

12. HOW TO SELECT THE BEST DATABASE
Choosing the best database will make your job
easier.
 Examine your topic for focus:
 What is the main subject of your research?
 Do you want your research to be locally focused?
 Is there a specific time period involved?
 Use the Subject List to select a database. You may be able to
see a connection to your topic here.
 Use one of our local newspaper databases, like Proquest
Newspapers, to provide local focus.
 All databases include current information; but if your topic is a
historical period, see our history databases.
 Ask a Reference Librarian for help.