AccessScience Database from McGraw-Hill
Accessed via Los Angeles Public Library Databases
Summary
AccessScience is a database created by McGraw-Hill with the goal of helping make it easier for users to find information on science and technology. The database promotes the motto, “Discovery is the hard part—AccessScience makes learning easy.” Users can begin their search on the main page by selecting a specific topic to explore. Once a topic is chosen, users will find results divided up into different sections, including encyclopedia articles, research updates, images, biographies, multimedia, and others. Should users want more refined results, the main page features a semantic search bar that has a drop-down list of search terms as users type in their keywords. The database contains a wealth of information in the science and technology fields, drawing from the complete contents of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, 10th Edition, as well as regular research updates from the McGraw-Hill Yearbooks of Science & Technology and headline news from Science News Magazine. The database also includes several media options on many topics, including videos, animations, illustrations, tutorials, and podcasts. Overall, AccessScience is designed to guide users through the clutter of information and find results relevant to their topics.
Critical Evaluation
The website for AccessScience would be a welcome addition to any library’s collection. The extensive amount of information available gives users a central database to turn to for research on science and technology. Also, the site allows for users of all levels to find relevant information by browsing through topics or searching with specific keywords. AccessScience does not only include articles, but the options for media sources provide users with the opportunity to learn even more about any topic, such as watching videos or listening to podcasts. With these options, the database is more attractive to users, such as teenagers, that may find multimedia a more interesting way to learn new information. When looking through results for a topic, I found the breakdown of different types of sources particularly helpful, especially in the case when recent news updates are separated from encyclopedia articles. In addition, there is a section that lists biographies for scientists that were involved in that particular field, allowing users to investigate their studies, as well. Because the database recognizes the difficulty that many have with finding information on a specific topic in science and technology amongst the tremendous amount of information out there, it places a high degree of importance on guiding users to the relevant information. Therefore, AccessScience is a useful database to start with when combing through research.
Reader's Annotation
AccessScience helps guide users to information on science and technology that is relevant to their topic. Through the inclusion of videos, animation, illustrations, and podcasts, the database works to bring the most up-to-date technology to users.
Information About the Company
Around the world, The McGraw-Hill Companies provides people with the information and insights they need to adapt and grow in changing times. Founded in 1888, it is a leading global financial information and education company that helps professionals and students succeed in the Knowledge Economy. Leading brands include Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates.
By working together with their customers and partners, these brands are laying the foundation for a smarter, better world. Harold McGraw III serves as Chairman, President and CEO of the company. The corporation is headquartered in New York and has more than 280 offices in 40 countries with a worldwide employee total of approximately 21,000. (information from company’s website: http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/site/about-us)
Genre
N/A
Curriculum Ties
Students would find this database useful for science classes throughout their high school and college years.
Booktalking Ideas
N/A
Reading Level/Interest Age
This database would be especially suited for students in high school and college.
Challenge Issues
N/A
Why Include Database in Selection?
The Los Angeles Public Library rated AccessScience the Electronic Resource of the Month for April 2011 and I wanted to include a database that covered other topics than I have previously written about.
No comments:
Post a Comment