DATABASE ANALYSIS
Two Databases Being Analyzed:
– EBSCOhost
– ProQuest
PART I: Content Analysis
When performing research, whether it be a professional, student or other patron, the knowledge of using databases is essential. Understanding a database’s functions and capabilities allows patrons to find the most relevant and accurate articles. Two of the most popular databases used today are EBSCOhost and ProQuest. When evaluating these two databases together, it is important to compare their scope, authority, accuracy, arrangement, and any special features these databases may include to help in the research process. The next sections will compare both of these databases by using the factors previously mentioned.
SCOPE
EBSCOhost provides a broad coverage and access to multiple databases. A complete list of searchable topics, such as, business, law, humanities, medicine, science and many more are provided. Each of the individual databases supplied within EBSCOhost features different resources that have a wide range of publication dates. Some of the available source types within EBSCOhost include full-text articles, case studies, abstracts, patents, essays, court decisions, research reports and many more.
ProQuest also provides a broad coverage but gives access to multiple databases sorted into seven different categories: the arts, dissertations and theses, health and life sciences, literature and language, news and newspapers, science tech and medical, and social sciences. When conducting a search, the database provides among its resources: periodicals, dissertations, abstracts, indexed historical newspapers, scholarly journal articles, and government documents.
AUTHORITY
EBSCOhost is affiliated with EBSCO Information Services, which is a division of EBSCO Industries and was founded in 1944 by Elton Bryson Stephens, Sr. EBSCO Information Services provides a wide range of library database services for libraries and research corporations. EBSCO won the Environmental Merit Award in 2008 and the Special Library Association recognized the company as the “Green Champions” in 2009 for their efforts to promote positive envrionmental initiatives. The Stephens family has also been recognized for the philanthropic efforts through their databases.
ProQuest was founded in 1938 in by Eugene Power. It was formerly known as University Microfilms. ProQuest has also won awards in previous years and has grown to become one of the most popular databases used today. This database provides authoritative content that serves universities, research corporations, and the general public.
ARRANGEMENT
EBSCOhost is arranged alphabetically by database. Under the name of each database is a description of what users will find when conducting their search. For example, Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia is the name of the database. The description explains that the encyclopedia provides many entries covering a variety of subjects. Also provided is a “more information” section that when pressed allows the user to get a full description of each database.
ProQuest is arranged by using seven categories. A user would first choose the category they would find most relevant for their search, or they would choose the list view option for an easier view of all databases available. Within each of these categories is an alphabetical list of databases a user can scroll through. Users can also choose whether they would like to read abstracts or full peer-reviewed articles.
ACCURACY
EBSCOhost is a well used database in the academic world as well as some public libraries. The company who supplies EBSCOhost is comprised of many librarians that cover all facets of the research world including health services, education, and business. As the company employees a plethora of expertise in a variety of different areas, it can only prove the authority of EBSCOhost is of the highest quality.
ProQuest provides specialists in the various fields and contains journals which are peer-reviewed. The databases are regularly inspected for complete accuracy by those who have expertise in the accessible fields. ProQuest is associated with The Associated Press and has connections with academic libraries, who also help provide credibility by the use of faculty members to the authority of each database provided. ProQuest tries to provide information in each of their databases of the highest and accurate quality.
Special Features
EBSCOhost is not a platform that is not free for general users but is contracted out to academic libraries. It provides a full list in alphabetical order of all databases accessible. There is also a tab provided that a user can click for “more information”. Within the “more information” page the database can be explored and the user can learn how to best search for research topics. The categories cover information about the database, searching tips, Boolean operators, grouping terms together using parentheses, searchable fields, definition of fields, thesaurus authority file, and index browsing, copyright and restrictions of use, and who to contact if there are issues within the database in use. All of these features help the user find their information and as quickly and efficient as possible.
ProQuest is also an academic database not free for use by general users. The database provides seven categories in which the databases are divided. To find more information the user must click on the database needed while in list view. For example, American Periodicals provides search tips, subject topic coverage, a title list, a summary of the database, and a more information category. When the user goes to more information, the user will find a further detailed description of the database including a timeline of the history of American Periodicals and how these articles are digitized. ProQuest provides an easy way to navigate by providing a user friendly interface to see all databases provided.
PART II: SEARCH ANALYSIS
EBSCOhost: GreenFILE
GreenFILE is a multidisciplinary database that covers the environment in a variety of disciplines not limited to agriculture, education, and health and technology. Topics included in the database cover pollution, renewable energy, recycling and how to handle the ever changing global climate change. The database provides indexes and abstracts for over 538,000 records, along with providing Open Access full text for more than 5,800 record.
ProQuest: Sustainability Science Abstracts
Sustainability Science Abstracts covers societal issues involving natural resource management. The database also explores every aspect of sustainable development and the human population. The information supplied is rather current as the coverage is from 1995 to the present.
Record Structure:
GreenFILE provides searchable fields that include:
– AB Abstract
– AN Accession Number
– AR Author Phrase
– AS Author-Supplied Abstract
– AU Author
– CS Cover Story
– DE Subject
– DT Date of Publication
– IB ISBN
– IL Illustrations
– IP Issue
– IS ISSN
– IX Index
– JN Journal Name
– MH Subjects
– PG Number of Pages
– PT Document Type
Sustainability Science Abstracts provide searchable fields that include:
– AB Abstract
– AN Accession Number
– AU Author
– DF Document Feature
– FT Document Text
– TI Document Title
– DTYPE Document Type
– ISBN for ISBN
– ISSN for ISSN
– ISS Issue
– LA Language
– LOC Location
– PER Person
– PD Publication Date
– YR Publication Year
– PUB Publication Title
– STYPE Source Type
– SU Subjects
– LUPD Last Update Date
– VO Volume
These search fields in both databases are available for a basic search.
Advanced Search
Both EBSCOhost and ProQuest allows users to search by using Boolean phrases such as AND, OR, and NOT. Both have the use of proximity operators within their search queries.
GreenFILE allows users to do an advanced search by applying related words, searching within the full text of the articles, and applying equivalent subjects. There is also an option for a smart search within this database that allows for the search of paragraphs, phrases, and sentences within articles. Sustainability Science Abstracts allows users to conduct an advanced search by publication date,abstract, author, document text, and document title. This database seems a little more limited in the advanced search but will still supply valuable resources.
Both databases allow for wildcards with in their advanced search queries. The most used symbols are * and ?. These allow users to find all possible word variations for the term in their search.
Limits/Filters/Options:
GreenFILE allows users to limit their searches by searching for full text articles, scholarly peer reviewed journals, publication date, type of document, publication type, cover story, number of pages, and image quick view types (photographs, maps, etc.) Sustainability Science Abstracts allows for further search options such as source type, document type, language, and allows duplicates to be included in the search by clicking an opt-in button.
Controlled Vocabulary
GreenFILE uses stop words such as “the”, “and”, and “for”. EBSCOhost provides a thesaurus authority file that provides a list of controlled vocabulary terms that allows users a more effective search. Sustainability Science Abstracts provides a thesaurus that provides a list of controlled vocabulary terms.
Sorting Options
GreenFILE is sorted by relevance and within oldest to newest publications or vice versa. The user is able to sort through the publications by “Alphabetical”, “By Subject & Description” or “Match Any Words”. Keywords can also be used for relevancy ranked results. Sustainability Science Abstracts is sorted by relevance, oldest to newest publications, and newest to oldest publications.
Command Line Searching
GreenFILE does not offer command line searching through the EBSCOhost database. Sustainability Science Abstracts does offer command line searching by going through the advanced search. Command line can be chosen above the search box that then supplies the user with a text box and options of entering a search strategy that can cross multiple fields for more thorough results.
Librarian Life 