If one is to explore the list of UBC Online Indexes and Databases, you will find an extensive list of options that are available for use. I like using EBSCO because ...
1. It is linked to several database collections, which yield results that are relevant to my field of study (i.e., Academic Search Complete, Library Info Science and Tech Abstracts, EBSCO Animals, Canadian/Teacher Ref Center, ERIC)
2. It often provides full text of the articles that I need, so I can easily view them online.
3. I can can alter my search in a variety of ways.
4. Many school districts subscribe to it, so students can access it as well.
5. I can do my article search from home, instead of having to personally go to a library (the way it used to be done years ago).
When I wasn't at all that comfortable yet in using EBSCO, I was easily getting frustrated with the site. I felt I had to be very specific with my keywords before it yielded relevant results. I was constantly losing connection and had to retype all my parameters to re-start my search, although I think the problem was more with my internet connection than it being a problem with the database. Just the same, I am indebted to this type of search engine because it gives me access to countless set of information which I find, not only relevant to me as a student, but also as a teacher.
I'm pretty sure that electronic databases are not going to be going away any time soon, so we'd all better learn to use them effectively and efficiently.
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