Podcasts @ Cabell Library

Many databases provide built-in tools in order to make searching more efficient. For example, PsycINFO's thesaurus and search limiters can make the difference between sorting through 40 results and 400 results. The following screencast will show you how you can use these two tools to build and refine searches in PsycINFO. Please note that you will need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod. You can also view the flash version.

PsycINFO: Download video

Posted by at 10:54 AM | Permalink

As you research, you will find citations for other articles of interest. Your instructor may even give you a list of article citations for you to track down. So how do you actually find the articles with only the citation? Try the Citation Linker. The following screencast will teach you to how use the Citation Linker to track down a full text article from its citation. Please note that you may need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod.You can also view the flash version.

Citation Linker: Download video (7 minutes 24 seconds)

Posted by at 10:29 AM | Permalink

Many databases actually make it easy for you to find scholarly articles. The following screencast will help you use the library databases to locate scholarly articles. Please note that you will need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod. You can also view the flash version.

Finding Scholarly Articles: Download video (QuickTime)

Posted by at 12:55 PM | Permalink

Instructors often ask their students to find scholarly articles to inform their research papers, but many people are unfamiliar with the characteristics of scholarly works. In this podcast, a librarian will explain what a scholarly article is. Remember, you will find exceptions to the general guidelines discussed, but this podcast will help you gain a better overall understanding of what makes a scholarly article different from other types of articles. If you're ever in doubt as to whether an article is scholarly or if it will satisfy the criteria of your assignment, be sure to ask your instructor or a librarian for assistance.

What Makes an Article Scholarly: Download MP3 file

Posted by at 4:31 PM | Permalink

**Update: Please note that VCU no longer subscribes to InfoTrac OneFile. You should now try Academic Search Complete instead.**

If you are a regular user of InfoTrac OneFile or another Thomson Gale database like Expanded Academic ASAP, Health Reference Center, or Computer Database, you may have noticed some changes recently. The following screencast provides an overview of some of the major changes using InfoTrace OneFile as an example. Please note that you will need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod. You can also view the flash version.

InfoTrac OneFile: Download video (QuickTime)

Posted by at 1:14 PM | Permalink

This podcast describes new changes to the VCU Libraries Web site, including changes to accessing or finding the Catalog, Ask-A-Librarian, library services and resource guides. You can also learn about expanded borrowing privileges in this podcast.

VCU Libraries Web Site Changes: Download MP3 file

Posted by at 8:27 AM | Permalink

So, you've found the perfect article in a library database but only an abstract is available. What do you do? Look for the Get it @ VCU button and the full text of the article could be a few clicks away. The following is a demonstration of Get it @ VCU. Please note that you will need to convert the video for your iPod (select Convert Selection for iPod in iTunes) in order to view it on a video iPod. You can also view the flash version.

Get it @ VCU: Download video (QuickTime)

Posted by at 3:44 PM | Permalink

VCU Libraries provides an interlibrary loan service, ILLiad, if you need an article from a journal the library doesn't own. The following podcast covers how to place a request using ILLiad.

If you need an article the library doesn’t own: Download MP3 file

Posted by at 3:34 PM | Permalink

So, you've found a citation for an interesting article and now you need to find the entire full text of the article to read. What do you do? This is a question we often get from patrons, and hopefully this podcast will help you learn how to get the articles you need. This podcast will walk you through the process of finding articles when you know the name of the journal in which it appears.

Finding Articles: Download MP3 file

Posted by at 11:51 AM | Permalink