Main Index

Unit Index

Glossary

INTRODUCTION

WebSPIRS a tutorial

Arrangement:

This tutorial has been designed linearly. It has been divided into five (5) units; Introduction, Database Basics, Databases in WebSPIRS, Searching ERIC in WebSPIRS, and Getting Results. Each of these units is accessible from the Main Index.

Units are organized by questions, each addressing an important concept relevant to the unit’s theme. The questions are accessible from each Unit Index.

Generally, the tutorial:

• clarifies what databases are, how they are organized, why you use them, and what types are available to you.
• tells you a bit more about theWebSPIRS software program, including what it is, why you use it, where to locate it, and how to access databases in it.
• explains the ERIC (the Educational Resource Information Center) electronic database, and guides you through a WebSPIRS search in this comprehensive “data warehouse!”
• shows you how and where to locate results you get during your search.