Library Orientation 12: Gale PowerSearch
Overview
Part 12 of 15.
Introduces the database Gale PowerSearch from the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL). Includes outlines for an assignment and a quiz.
Welcome
You may want to put your contact information under "Resources."
Introduction
Gale PowerSearch is a general topic database that is easy to search. Once you have completed a search, you can limit your results by publication date and media type. While this database covers a wide range of topics, it is especially useful for literature-based research.
Module Objectives
- Successfully use Gale PowerSearch to find an appropriate resource.
- Create a single annotated bibliography entry based on a resource obtained from Gale PowerSearch.
Readings and Resources
- Library eResources Web Page: https://www.sheltonstate.edu/instruction-workforce-development/library-services/eresources/
- Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Website: http://www.avl.lib.al.us
Readings and Videos
Gale PowerSearch is available through the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL). Gale's focus is on literature, but it is also a great general subject database. While this databases strength is literature, it provides parallel publications (items that have also been published in print) on a wide range of topics and from sources that are news, general interest, and academic in nature.
To get to Gale PowerSearch:
- Navigate to the AVL (http://www.avl.lib.al.us (Links to an external site.)) and make sure you have access.
- Select the grey box on the far right of the menu bar, "All Resources."
- Scroll down until you see "Gale PowerSearch." Look in the grey boxes at the labels, not at the icons above them.
Searching Gale Power Search is just as easy as searching Google, only the results are easier to filter and significantly more reliable. Gale even provides some help if you are having trouble selecting a topic. Anything you find in Gale Power Search is appropriate to use for an academic paper/project.
As with any database search, often searching will result in too many results. Gale provides you with ways to narrow your search that will allow you to get the best possible items for your work.
Once your search is complete, the items can be read, listened to, shared, or saved. Citation suggestions are also available.
Two important points:
- If you are planning to share an item, be sure to use the share option and not the URL from the address bar, which will expire.
- The works cited options contain all of the information you will need to make a citation; however, check the suggested option against whatever resource your instructor wants you to use for citation. There may be some slight differences and your instructor is always right.
Assignment
Restricting the student to the assignment submission module in your course management software is a second option.
Introduction
- This assignment will illustrate your ability to utilize Gale PowerSearch to find an appropriate academic research resource.
- Completing this assignment will give you one piece of your final annotated bibliography. Submissions will be graded and corrected versions can be used in your final assignment.
Objectives
- Create an annotated MLA or APA citation for a resource you found on Gale PowerSearch.
Instructions
- Watch the videos and read the documentation in this module related to Gale PowerSearch.
- Navigate to Gale PowerSearch and search using the topic you chose in the discussion from Module 2.
- Select a resource that fits your topic and read or watch it.
- Using the citation tools provided, select the MLA or APA citation format and copy and paste the citation into the assignment. MLA or APA can be utilized, but be consistent. Use either MLA or APA consistently throughout this class.
- Write a brief paragraph that summarizes the resource.
- If you have trouble finding a resource, don't hesitate to contact your instructor.
Submission Requirements
This assignment can be submitted via email in the text of the message or as a PDF or MS Word attachment.
This assignment is worth 5 points.
2 points: Proper Citation Format
3 points: Annotation (spelling and grammar count)
Example
In your final document, the citation should have a hanging indent, as per the example of the final project. Different databases provide different citation styles, even within the database. Projects for subject-level courses will require you standardize your entries to suit the format that the instructor requires. For this project, you need only copy and paste the citation from the database.
MLA:
Wells, Sarah. "The Hidden Binary of Knitting Could Create the Toughest Gear You've Ever Worn." Popular Mechanics, May-June 2021, p. 26+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661094809/GPS?u=avlr&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=7af4aa32. Accessed 18 Aug. 2021.
This article explores the physical properties of knitted materials and talks about one scientist’s quest to describe knit materials with mathematic equations. This would lead to an ability to create knitted fabric that, through the nature of the knots and loops, could, say, protect astronauts from radiation.
APA:
Wells, S. (2021, May-June). The Hidden Binary of Knitting Could Create the Toughest Gear You've Ever Worn. Popular Mechanics, 26+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661094809/GPS?u=avlr&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=7af4aa32
This article explores the physical properties of knitted materials and talks about one scientist’s quest to describe knit materials with mathematic equations. This would lead to an ability to create knitted fabric that, through the nature of the knots and loops, could, say, protect astronauts from radiation.
Quiz
Change the instructions to fit your needs. Use the quiz module of your course management software to ask questions. Here are mine, but you will have to modify them to suit your own library requirements:
- Geolocation is one way to access Gale PowerSearch. TRUE
- Gale PowerSearch is more literature-resource heavy than EBSCOhost Search. TRUE
- Gale PowerSearch does not provide citation information. FALSE
- Gale PowerSearch will not allow you to download an MP3 of an article. FALSE
- There is no way to share articles you find in Gale PowerSearch. FALSE
Introduction
This quiz will test your knowledge of Gale PowerSearch.
Objectives
- Confirm that you have retained key information about Gale PowerSearch.
Instructions
- There are 5 true-false questions.
- You have 15 minutes for this quiz.
- Please use the Chrome browser for best performance.
- Once you start the quiz, you must complete it; there are 2 attempts. You cannot save to return to later. If you log out, you cannot return to the quiz.
- The attempt with the highest score will be graded.