Searching - Don't Take Notes Yet

First you need to find the best sources of information to take notes from. In this stage, you'll create a list of possible sources with a rating identifying which sources are the best.

How to Use Thomson Gale

  1. Login to the Thomson Gale database. You'll need a password sheet from the library.
  2. Read through and choose the most appropriate databases first, then click the Submit button.
  3. Choose the Advanced Search Link (at the top).
  4. Click the to documents with full text box to remove titles and summaries of articles which you cannot read. Decide if you want only peer-reviewed publications and/or only documents with images. Enter publication dates if desired.
  5. Change Keyword(ke) to Subject(su). Click on Browse Subjects(su). Enter the most important keyword / keyphrase first in the Results for box, then click the Find button. Browse through the possible subjects and click on the Select box to the left of the ones you want, then click Submit.
  6. Repeat step 5 for each of your keywords / keyphrases. Finally click the Search button.
  7. Skim through the articles to determine how useful they are.
  8. For each article which you might use, click on the InfoMark button (top left), copy the link and paste it into your List of Possible Sources. This will allow you to return to the article by just clicking on the link.

Last updated: April 4, 2008