Kellogg Institute - Library Research Workshop
Finding Articles: Education Databases
ERIC - Subjects include adult, career, and vocational education information; technology assessment and evaluation; language and linguistics; disabilities and gifted education; reading and communication; educational management.
Two types of resources are available in the ERIC database
ED - ERIC Documents
EJ - ERIC Journals
Some ED or EJ resources may be available full-text from the ERIC database. Belk Library has all of the ERIC Documents (ED) available in microforms located on the Lower Level.
Education Research Complete (ERC) - Topics covered include all levels of education from early childhood to higher education, and all educational specialties, such as multilingual education, health education, and testing. Education Research Complete also covers areas of curriculum instruction as well as administration, policy, funding, and related social issues.
ERIC/ERC Search TIPS:
- Use the Thesaurus (available in both databases) to look up your search terms.
- When looking through the list of results pay attention to the descriptors/subject terms listed.
- Be aware of options for limiting your search (i.e. by date, journal name, type of document, etc).
Email or save citations and full-text information for later viewing.
ERIC - http://eric.ed.gov (Open access version of ERIC)
Choose the Advanced Search option)
ERIC Digests - http://www.ericdigests.org
Short reports (1,000-1,500) on topics of prime current interest in education.
Other Useful Databases:
Academic Search Premier - This general database covers a wide array of academic disciplines including education related topics.
PsycINFO - Included information about the psychological aspects of related fields such as medicine, psychiatry, nursing, sociology, education and others.
Finding Books: Library Catalog (WNCLN)
- WNCLN (Western North Carolina Library Network) Catalog - Use the WNCLN catalog to find books and journals titles available at ASU, WCU, or UNCA (you can limit your search to ASU holdings). You can begin your search using Keywords to find items related to your topic. Once you have located a good source, check the Subject headings.
- Series titles (Select title search in the online catalog and enter the following series titles):
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education
New Directions for Community Colleges
Jossey Bass Higher and Adult Education Series
- Ordering Material available through the WNCLN Catalog
Material available at UNC-Asheville or Western Carolina Univ. may be ordered using ABC-Express. You may request journals & books. Requests are filled in 24-48 hours. All materials can be picked up at the Circulation desk.
Finding Books beyond WNCLN: searching WorldCat
WorldCat - WorldCat Lists over 50 million books, manuscripts and other materials on all subjects in libraries around the world.
Open access version of WorldCat - http://www.worldcat.org/
Statistical Sources for Education
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov
International Archive of Education Data
http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/IAED/
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
http://nces.ed.gov
NCES gathers and publishes information on the status and progress of education in the U.S. The following publications are available online from the NCES website:
- Digest of Education Statistics - provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from pre-kindergarten through graduate school.
- Condition of Education - is an indicator report analyzing key data that measure the health of education, monitor important developments, and show trends in major aspects of education.
Citing Your Sources
As you conduct your research it will be important to cite any materials you use in proper bibliographic format. The library has print copies of the most widely used style manuals. Please ask for them at the Reference/Information desk.
In addition, you may also consult the online How To Cite Sources guide for additional help.
We hope this brief compilation of resources is useful during your time here at Appalachian. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly or stop by the Reference desk if you need additional assistance. Thank you and enjoy your time in Boone.
Compiled by Kelly R. McBride, mcbridekr@appstate.edu and
John Boyd, boydjd@appstate.edu
Last content update 07/10/08