Databases
What are databases? They are online tools which can be used for research. So instead of doing a search with Google, you can try using a database which contains a collection of information that has been organized around specific topics. This is a good way to find information from reputable online sources.
Consumer Health Complete is a database which can be accessed using your library card number or student ID. This database contains articles on a variety of health-related subjects. Try doing a general (or broad) search for topics such as "depression" or "anxiety" and you'll find many articles which can be sorted by date, author, or relevance. You can narrow the search by linking two words together by inserting AND, such as "teens AND depression". These tips will work for just about any database search. Notice the tabs at the top will narrow your search even further by linking to only videos, magazines, or pamphlets on your particular topic. Don't forget to ask a librarian for help while searching. That's what they do!
EBSCOHost is a powerful search tool with access to database, journal and magazine articles covering just about any subject you need to research. You can search in different ways but you might start by selecting only those databases covering health topics. Look for HealthSource, MEDLINE, Middle Search Plus, Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection, or Health Source: Consumer Edition. Remember that you will need to use your library card to access EBSCO from outside the library.
Library Catalog
Your library's catalog can be a valuable tool for finding books, DVDs, electronic books, and audiobooks, along with a wealth of other research materials. When searching the catalog try a general keyword search about your topic. Use the filters provided in the catalog to help limit that search. Let's say you only want e-books, or books found in the teen collection. Check the appropriate boxes (usually found on the left side of the screen) to help limit your search. You can also try copying and pasting the subject headings provided into your library's catalog to find information about mental health issues. When you find books you like, scroll down the page, and click on their subject headings which are links to additional library materials.
More Search Tools
Try these additional online search tools:
CRAAP Test was created by librarians at the F. D. Bluford Library at North Carolina A&T State University. It's an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose. This test can help you remember how to evaluate information you find online. Since you can sometimes retrieve an overwhelming amount of hits doing a Google search, how do you know if a website's information is credible? This test can serve as a guide by using a simple scoring system.
Google Scholar can be used to search for online articles from scholarly resources. You can create an account and save your searches in "your library" for use at another time.
WorldCat is the world's largest online catalog. You can search using keywords, titles, and authors and it will find books about that particular subject. It works very much like your own library's catalog. It will provide a summary of the book and in which formats it's available (such as electronic or print). Try using the filters, or limiters, by ticking the boxes on the left side of the page. You can narrow your search by date, language, or material format. WorldCat also uses your location to tell you which libraries in your area have the book, and also provides reviews from other users.