Using the MLA International Database
What is it?
The MLA International Database is a database of academic writing that is available through Scarborough Library.
Shepherd students can access the MLA Database, as well as other databases, from home.
This page provides tips to help students who are having trouble using the MLA Database or doing online research in general.
How do I get there?
To find the MLA Database, even from home, visit the Scarborough Library website (http://www.shepherd.edu/libweb). Click the pull-down bar at the top left of the screen, and select "MLA International Database."
You will have several options at the top of the screen. The search bar that loads automatically will run a keyword search.
A keyword search will look for articles associated with the words you entered. For example, if you entered "Emily Dickinson," the database will return articles that have to do with Emily Dickinson.
Any tips for searching?
Use the Keyword Search
Searching for authors or titles will search for the authors or titles of the academic works in the database. If you are looking for articles on Beowulf, enter "Beowulf" in the keyword search bar.
Use Quotation Marks
When doing an internet search, putting a phrase in quotation marks will search for that exact phrase. For example, putting Because I Could Not Stop For Death will look for entries that contain all of those words, but the words will not always come right after another. Searching for "Because I Could Not Stop For Death" will yield only results that contain the exact words, in the exact order that they are inside the quotation marks.
Use Boolean Search Terms
Boolean search terms will help you by telling the search enging what to include and what to exclude. An excellent explanation of what Boolean terms are and how they work can be found here (external link). |
