Harnessing Databases - An online exercise
Directions: First: write
the kind of information you can obtain in each of these online databases.
Next: use the database to answer the supplementary question(s). printer
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1. EDGAR -
List 2 people or activities that would use EDGAR's information.
2. PatFT -
Enter your last name. How many hits did your search yield?
Give an example of when you might need information From the PatFT database.
What entity maintains the PatFT database?
3. IMDb -
On the left hand side of the window, there is a popup
menu. It offers choices like: All, Titles, People, etc.
These are examples
of records or keywords. (Underline the appropriate database term
that helps you narrow a search).
4. PLANTS -
Click on the PLANT of the week. You will see info offered
on Symbol, Group, Family, Growth Habit.
They are examples of ___________________________ (enter the appropriate
database term)
5. U.S. Gazetteer -
Enter the appropriate data and write your query results:
Now enter Washington in the name field. Search. Look at the number of records.
How is the use of the keyword - state important in your search?
6. Registry Whois -
Enter si.edu - what organization owns that domain name?
7. Bartleby.com -
How would the resources available in this database be useful to you when you are giving a speech?
8. OneLook -
How many resources can be accessed through this database search engine?
Look up "phat". How many resources list it? __________________
TAI (Think About It) - Look up "phat" in a print dictionary.
I bet it is not listed.
What are two advantages that an online, digital dictionary database has
over a printed dictionary database?
9. dmoz - Open Directory Project -
Is your school listed in the directory? ________________________
Does this database actually count calories? ________________________
What professionals would find it useful in their work?
11. CharityNavigator
Look up an organization you know
How would the information impact your decision to participate?
12. GNIS
Look up your community's name or school name.
What information is provided?
Who might use this information?
Watch - Delicious Library - a program that helps you track your book and music collections. What kind of software is this? Name the database it utilizes.
The most dangerous phrase in the language is, "We've always done it this way." Admiral Grace Hopper USN
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Copyright February 2004 Cynthia J. O'Hora All Rights Reserved. Revised 6/2006
January 10, 2008 Released to public domain in honor of Admiral Grace Hopper USN
Save a tree use a digital answer format - Highlight the text. Copy it. Paste it in a word processing document. Save the document in your folder. Answer on the wp document in an easily read, contrasting color or font. (No yellow, no 
artistic fonts) Or perhaps you have the resources to record verbal answers. If you do, be sure to first read / record the question. Then record the answer immediately after it.