Database Search Tutorial - Search the Database
Database Search Tutorial
Search the Database
Entering the Search Terms
After selecting a topic and identifying the keywords/concepts, enter the search terms in the dialog boxes provided on the Advanced Search Screen.
Note: Stating the topic as a question helps in focusing the search and in identifying the search terms.
Example: How will the use of alternative fuels prevent climate change?
SEARCH TIP: Using Quotation Marks
Placing quotation marks around the terms ("alternative fuels") prompts the database to search for the phrase exactly as written without separating the words.
Selecting the Search Fields
Students may search the keywords against any of a number of fields to help customize and define the search results.
As selected in the example below, the default (optional) field will scan all author, title, subject, and abstract (summary) fields for the occurrence of the key concept, "alternative fuels."
SEARCH TIP: Searching the "TX All Text" Field
If additional information is needed after searching the "Optional (default) Field," students may broaden the search and retrieve more articles by selecting the "TX All Text" field. This field will scan the entire text of the articles for the occurrence of your search term. Please note that the search may generate irrelevant information by retrieving articles that mention but do not focus on the topic.
SEARCH TIP: Searching the "SU Subject Terms" Field
The "SU" field searches the subject fields and retrieves the articles only if your keyword matches a controlled vocabulary of subject terms assigned to the article. The database thesaurus will assist researchers in identifying subject terms synonymous to the researcher's keyword. To browse the thesaurus, (1) Select the "Subject Terms" tab, (2) Enter your keyword in the dialog box, (3) Click "Browse."
SEARCH TIP: Keyword vs Subject Searching
Keyword searching offers the flexibility of searching the bibliographic records (title, author, summary, full text, etc.) for the occurrence of your selected terms or concepts. Subject searching, in contrast, requires that researchers identify the appropriate subject terms assigned to the articles.
Combining Search Terms
Researchers may focus the search by combining the keywords using one of the Boolean connectors (and, or, not).
As illustrated below, the connector "and" is used to combine the terms "alternative fuels" and "climate change". Using the connector, "and," ensures that both concepts will be discussed in the articles retrieved.
SEARCH TIP: Using Boolean Connectors
| AND |
|
Narrows the search and results in fewer articles retrieved by including articles that must contain both terms. |
 alternative fuels AND climate change
|
| NOT |
|
Narrows the search and results in fewer articles retrieved by excluding a term. |
 alternative fuels NOT climate change
|
| OR |
|
Broadens the search and results in more articles retrieved by including articles which contain either or both terms. |
 alternative fuels OR climate change |
Choosing Limiters
A number of limiters are available to help customize the search.
- Full Text: View the entire content of the articles by selecting this option. Only those articles that are complete and available in full text will be retrieved.
- Scholarly Journals: Scholarly journals, also known as peer reviewed, refereed, and academic journals, contain articles which are written and reviewed by researchers or experts in a particular field of study.
- References Available: Select this option to limit your search to those articles that include a reference or works cited list. A reference list credits the information borrowed from other authors and is helpful in locating additional articles, books, and other resources on a particular subject.
- Primary Source Documents: Researchers may select "Primary Source Documents" from the "Publication Type" drop down menu. Primary sources are first hand or eyewitness accounts of events. Examples include speeches, letters, legislation, court decisions, diaries, interviews, autobiographies, and photographs. A secondary source, on the other hand, interprets, analyzes, or otherwise relies upon one or more primary sources.
1970 marked the beginning of Vernon College. Throughout this decade the College continued to grow and more students enrolled in both on- and off-campus courses. On January 20, 1970, a majority of the citizens of Wilbarger County voted to create the Wilbarger County Junior College District. Following that decision, Vernon Regional Junior College was established and on April 9, 1970, the newly elected Board of Trustees appointed Dr. David L. Norton as the College’s first president. Campus construction began in May 1971, and included an Academic Science Center, Administration-Fine Arts Center, Applied Arts Center, Library, and Student Center. The following year, on September 5, 1972, classes met for the first time on the Vernon campus with a total of 608 students. On August 1, 1974, Dr. Jim M. Williams became the College’s second president. In the fall semester of that year, combined on- and off-campus enrollment exceeded 800 students. During the 1975-76 academic year, the College expanded its services to include a learning center on Sheppard Air Force Base. During this year, enrollment in credit courses, both on- and off-campus, rose to a level of 1,199. The scope of the Vocational Nursing Program was enlarged during the 1976-77 academic year with the assumption of the Bethania School of Vocational Nursing in Wichita Falls. In August 1976 the Physical Education Center was dedicated in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. King longtime benefactors of Vernon College.
Growth and changes continued during the 1980s. In August 1980 a Student Residence Center, designed to house 128 students, opened for occupancy. Further expansion of program offerings in the Wichita Falls area was accomplished through absorption of an existing proprietary school that was renamed the Vernon College Technical Center and the integration of the nursing program from the Wichita Falls Independent School District. On March 22, 1982, Dr. Joe Mills took over the leadership of the College as the third president. That fall, the College fielded its first intercollegiate rodeo team. During 1983-84, the Department of Cosmetology and the Career Development Center (previously known as the North Texas Skills Center) were established in Wichita Falls. On the Vernon campus, the Chaparral Center was completed, and the Pease River farm purchased through a state land trade. The following academic year, 1984-85, Vernon College reached a record credit enrollment of 1,863 and a record continuing education enrollment of 7,056 registrations. A Vocational Nursing Program opened in Seymour, and the Board of Trustees established a college foundation and approved an agreement to allow construction of the Red River Valley Museum on the Vernon campus. In February 1987 the College played its first intercollegiate baseball game on the Vernon campus. During May of that year, the new Natatorium was opened in the King Physical Education Center. A newly constructed Athletic Dormitory opened to house 28 athletes in August 1988. In October, Trustees voted to add women’s volleyball as a varsity sport, effective with the fall 1989 semester. In May 1989 Vernon College moved all Wichita Falls programs to one centralized location—Century City Center. Since the College opened its doors 38 years ago, many individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations have made an investment in our students through the creation of endowed and annual scholarships. As of this year, more than 100 scholarship funds are available to help students pursue their educational dreams.VERNON COLLEGE PHILOSOPHY: Vernon College is a constantly evolving institution, dedicated primarily to effective teaching and regional enhancement. With this dedication to teaching and to the community, the College encourages open inquiry, personal and social responsibility, critical thinking, and life-long learning for students, faculty, and other individuals within its service area. The College takes as its guiding educational principle the proposition that, insofar as available resources permit, instruction should be adapted to student needs. This principle requires both flexibility in instructional strategies and maintenance of high academic standards. Strong programs of assessment and accountability complement this educational principle. VC accepts the charge of providing a college atmosphere free of bias, in which students can exercise initiative and personal judgment, leading to a greater awareness of personal self-worth. It strives to provide every student with opportunities to develop the tools necessary to become a contributing, productive member of society.
Vision
VERNON COLLEGE VISION: Vernon College will promote a culture of success for our students and communities through learner-centered quality instructional programs and exemplary services.
Values
VERNON COLLEGE VALUES: Vernon College promotes a culture of success through our shared values and commitment to:
Accessibility
Accountability
Building Relationships
Diversity
Inclusion
Innovation
Leadership
Quality
Student Success
Teamwork
Our values define who we are and guide us in conducting our business every day. Our values are our morals – what is important to us at our college.
Mission
VERNON COLLEGE MISSION The mission of Vernon College is teaching, learning, and leading. Vernon College is a comprehensive community college that integrates education with opportunity through our instructional programs and student support services by means of traditional and distance learning modes. Therefore, to fulfill its mission, the College will provide access, within its available resources, to:
Career technical/workforce programs up to two years in length leading to associate degrees or certificates;
Career technical/workforce programs leading directly to employment in semi-skilled and skilled occupations;
Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences, including the curricula leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees;
Ongoing adult education programs for occupational upgrading or personal enrichment;
Compensatory education programs designed to fulfill the commitment of an admissions policy allowing the enrollment of disadvantaged students; ;
A continuing program of counseling and guidance designed to assist students in achieving their individual educational goals;
Career technical/workforce development programs designed to meet local and statewide needs;
Support services for educational programs and college-related activities;
Adult literacy and other basic skills programs for adults; and
Other To help prospective and current students, faculty, and staff locate important information about Vernon College, this webpage provides links to helpful information on a variety of government mandated and consumer information. Examples are academic programs, cost of attendance, financial aid, safety and security, and institutional financial reports. Vernon College’s presentation of this information complies with the Higher Education Act, as amended, and implementing regulations.