Scope

• Selecting the appropriate database(s) to search requires considerable thought because of the:
  • Number and variety of databases that Dialog offers.
  • Sometimes narrow focus of many of the databases.
  • High potential costs of searching one or more databases.
• There are, though, a number of resources that facilitate database selection.
• NOTE: Students in the SLIS program do not have access to all Dialog databases. A list of which ones are available to us is at: slisweb.sjsu.edu/proj/passwords/DialogAccessList.xls. This is an Excel spreadsheet (.xls).

Resources for selecting databases

• Dialog Database Catalog
  • This used to be available in print, but you can get the entire contents online.
  • The catalog provides basic database descriptions including the date range of
  • Look at the OneSearch categories to find the names of related databases.
  • This is available at: http://support.dialog.com/publications/dbcat/
• Bluesheets
  • These provide most of the information that you need to know about the general nature of a database plus the fields that can be searched, other search functions, and costs.
  • They are available at: http://library.dialog.com/bluesheets/
• Database Manuals and Thesauri
  • Unfortunately, the most extensive manuals and thesauri must be obtained from the database publishers, though some are online.
  • Prices range from free to $50 or more.
• Recommendations
  • From information professionals in professional journals and online forums.
  • From experts in the subject about which you are seeking information.
  • From your fellow students.
• DialIndex (File 411) (in DialogClassic or via Telnet)
  • In a way, the DialIndex search may be your most useful tool for finding which databases to search.
  • DialIndex is a union index of the contents of all indexes for all of the databases.
  • It enables you to find out where the most frequent occurrences of selected words or phrases occur in selected or all available Dialog databases.
• Databases Search (in DialogWeb)
  • This is similar to the DialIndex search.
  • It enables you to, "Browse to find the best databases for your topic—at no charge."