Path of Inquiry/October 19th, 2010

Path of inquiry: What is the difference between a database and the free Internet? What is the best way to find an appropriate database to search? What are the best practices for developing a database search strategy? What database search tools and features might you use to improve your searches?
From class we learned that: Databases contain information which is controlled in the sense that there are tools and strategies used to ensure that the information in databases has been reviewed by knowledgeable people, there is validity and sound evidence based sources for the information published on databases. They are reliable resources for scholarly research. The databases are set up so valid and reliable information is easy to find.
The free internet can publish anything and not all information has to be credible. This poses a problem especially when doing scholarly research. The information is not as trustworthy has a database and would need further inquiry into sources of the information presented to ensure it is reliable.
To better utilize database search tools and features to improve my searches, I think it is helpful to get acquainted with what the library has to offer, like in the presentations we have had in class. I also think like Elizabeth said, using less words to narrow our search and focus the information is valuable too as opposed to the free internet where the more words you use the better able you are to find more information. I also think familiarizing myself with the various databases the library has to offer and what types of information I can find on each would be extremely valuable in finding more relevant data especially for research.
Mentees update
I have been using emails and texting to communicate with my mentees. I have only met with one mentee one other time outside of the tour. The same mentee I met outside of the tour and I had a fun text exchange the following week after we met. I receive friendly responses from two mentees each time I reach out and the third I just heard from recently. I am using the syllabus in my emails now to ask more specifically how their work is going. I’m at a loss in what else to do, so a new strategy I haven’t tried that I am going to use this week is to call each mentee and leave a voice mail as well as emails and text messages. One mentee asked me if I wanted to review her paper, it went to my WWU junk mail even though she is a WWU student, as soon as I noticed – yikes! - I texted her right away what happened and that I would be happy to review her paper. So now I am checking my junk mail daily as well as my regular email. Gabe emailed me that one of the mentees said she was having a “so so experience”; I am confused because this mentee responds to my emails in a cheerful manner but has not taken me up on any offers to assist her …so I have texted her today just to see how it’s going…a bit discouraged but not giving up…