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Guide to the ERIC Database

 

What is the ERIC database?

It is a collection of database records which describe articles or documents. Each database record includes a full citation and a summary (abstract) of the document or article.

Topical Coverage of the ERIC database:


* Adult & Early Childhood Education 
* Educational Administration & Finance
* Child Development
* Higher Education 
* Vocational & Consumer Education
* Teacher Education & Teaching
* Elementary & Secondary Education
* Reading and Literacy
* School Health & Counseling
* Many other education topics

What exactly does the ERIC database contain?

The ERIC database includes citations and abstracts for two different types of materials.

Can I use ERIC to locate journal articles?

Yes, ERIC indexes and provides abstracts for articles published in over 700 professional education journals from 1969 to the present. ERIC database records, which cite articles, include a 'EJ' number at the top left portion of the record. The author names, article title, journal title (source of the article), volume number, date and page numbers, descriptors (subject headings), and a brief summary of the article is also included.

How do I access the ERIC database? Is there a charge?

Use the library computer terminals to search ERIC at no cost. Access to the ERIC database is available on most library computers. You may also access the database from your home or office using a personal computer and a modem.

How do I go about searching?

You use keywords and the logical operator AND to link keywords to describe your topic.

EXAMPLE: To find information on art activities in the elementary school, you could ask the computer to retrieve only records containing the words "art" AND "activities" AND "elementary education". The computer would look for ERIC database records, which contain each of the words you have specified. In this example only the records containing the words "art" and "activities" and "elementary education" will be retrieved in the search result.

ERIC may be searched by keyword, author, year, document type, descriptors (subject headings), or any combination of search types. Once a search is completed results will be shown in a title list. You then mark titles for viewing or printing. Results may also be sent to your electronic mail box.

What will the search provide & how do I locate the materials?

Your search result will usually consist of a list of citations and abstracts related to your topic.

How to locate ERIC items with EJ numbers.

Does WMU own all of the journals indexed by the ERIC database?

No, if you need to get a copy of a journal article that isn't available in the WMU library collection, use the free INTERLIBRARY LOAN service. Request forms are available in all WMU libraries. Generally it takes about ten business days to receive an article from another library.

How can I locate ERIC records with "ED" numbers?

The full texts of most items in the ERIC document collection are available on microfiche in the ERIC document collection from 1966 to 2003. The documents are arranged in the file cabinets by the ED number. After 2003 ERIC has made the full-text of many documents available online, they are stored as Adobe Acorbat PDF files and must be downloaded..

How to locate ERIC items with ED numbers?

How can I recieve help in learning to use the ERIC database?

There are several ways:

Can I make Copies of ERIC microfiche documents and journal articles?

Yes, coin or copy card operated public photocopy machines are available in all of the University Libraries. Students who wish to add value to their copy cards may do so at any copy card vending machine in Waldo Library, the Music/Dance Library, or at the Education Library.

Education Library Subject Liaison Assignments

Mr. Bradford W. Dennis , Assistant Professor of Libraries, 269-387-1581, Office in Instructional Technology Lab, 1421 Sangren Hall, Teaching
Learning & Leadership (except Educational Leadership) Health, Physical Education & Recreation Educational Studies

Mr. Dennis Strasser , Associate Professor of Libraries, 269-387-5230, Education Library, 1436 Sangren Hall, Family & Consumer Sciences
Counselor Education & Counseling Psychology Teaching Learning & Leadership -- Educational Leadership classes

 

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