Guide to the ERIC Database

 

What is the ERIC database?

It is a collection of database records which describe articles or documents. Each database record includes a full citation and a summary (abstract) of the document or article.

Topical Coverage of the ERIC database:

* Adult & Early Childhood Education  * Educational Administration & Finance
* Child Development * Higher Education 
* Vocational & Consumer Education * Teacher Education & Teaching
* Elementary & Secondary Education * Reading and Literacy
* School Health & Counseling * Many other education topics

What exactly does the ERIC database contain?

The ERIC database includes citations and abstracts for two different types of materials.

  • ERIC records, which describe articles from professional education journals, include an 'EJ' accession number at the top.
  • ERIC records, which describe educational documents on microfiche (ERIC Document Collection), include an 'ED' accession number at the top. 

Can I use ERIC to locate journal articles?

Yes, ERIC indexes and provides abstracts for articles published in over 700 professional education journals from 1969 to the present. ERIC database records, which cite articles, include a 'EJ' number at the top left portion of the record. The author names, article title, journal title (source of the article), volume number, date and page numbers, descriptors (subject headings), and a brief summary of the article is also included.

How do I access the ERIC database? Is there a charge?

Use the library computer terminals to search ERIC at no cost. Access to the ERIC database is available on most library computers. You may also access the database from your home or office using a personal computer and a modem.

How do I go about searching?

You use keywords and the logical operator AND to link keywords to describe your topic.

EXAMPLE: To find information on art activities in the elementary school, you could ask the computer to retrieve only records containing the words "art" AND "activities" AND "elementary education". The computer would look for ERIC database records, which contain each of the words you have specified. In this example only the records containing the words "art" and "activities" and "elementary education" will be retrieved in the search result.

ERIC may be searched by keyword, author, year, document type, descriptors (subject headings), or any combination of search types. Once a search is completed results will be shown in a title list. You then mark titles for viewing or printing. Results may also be sent to your electronic mail box.

What will the search provide & how do I locate the materials?

Your search result will usually consist of a list of citations and abstracts related to your topic.

How to locate ERIC items with EJ numbers.

  • Examine your ERIC printout and locate records with a "EJ" number at the top left corner. Note the source of the article (this is on the line beginning with SOURCE or JOURNAL NAME). Note the title of the journal where the article appeared.
  • Go to an Education Library Periodicals List and check to see if Waldo Library or the Education Library has the journal title you need. The lists are arranged by journal title. You may also use the WestCat online catalog to search for journal titles that are available in WMU libraries.
  • If the journal title is listed, note the call number of the journal.
  • Go to the periodical shelves and locate the call number you need.

Does WMU own all of the journals indexed by the ERIC database?

No, if you need to get a copy of a journal article that isn't available in the WMU library collection, use the free INTERLIBRARY LOAN service. Request forms are available in all WMU libraries. Generally it takes about ten business days to receive an article from another library.

How can I locate ERIC records with "ED" numbers?

The full texts of most items in the ERIC document collection are available on microfiche in the ERIC document collection from 1966 to 2003. The documents are arranged in the file cabinets by the ED number. After 2003 ERIC has made the full-text of many documents available online, they are stored as Adobe Acorbat PDF files and must be downloaded..

How to locate ERIC items with ED numbers?

  • Note the ED number at the top of the ERIC record. This line begins with "Accession Number".
  • Go to the ERIC microfiche collection files in the Education Library, third floor, Sangren Hall.
  • Use the labels on the file cabinet drawers to locate the drawer which contains the "ED" number you want.

How can I recieve help in learning to use the ERIC database?

There are several ways:

  • Each computer terminal has help features built in, consult the HELP link at the top of the screen.
  • Often a librarian is available to help you in the library. Feel free to ask for a librarian to help you.
  • You may contact a librarian and make an appointment for an individualized help session.
  • Many WMU professors arrange to bring classes to the library for demonstrations and workshops.

Can I make Copies of ERIC microfiche documents and journal articles?

Yes, coin or copy card operated public photocopy machines are available in all of the University Libraries. Students who wish to add value to their copy cards may do so at any copy card vending machine in Waldo Library, the Music/Dance Library, or at the Education Library.

  • Copying microfiche documents to plain paper -- The Education Library has microfiche and microfilm reader/printer machines that can copy microfiche or microfilm images on to plain paper. Copies are ten cents per page; these machines require a copy card.
  • Microfiche copies of microfiche documents -- Library staff will duplicate any ERIC microfiche for you, the price 25 cents per microfiche sheet. A microfiche reader is required to view the microfiche.
  • Borrowing Microfiche Readers -- The Education Library has several portable microfiche readers available for loan at the Reserve Desk. Portable readers are loaned for 7 days.
  • Additional Help -- For additional assistance students and faculty may contact their assigned library subject liaison listed below.

Education Library Subject Liaison Assignments

Mr. Bradford W. Dennis, Assistant Professor of Libraries / 269-387-1581 Office in Instructional Technology Lab, 3302 Sangren Hall Teaching Learning & Leadership (except Educational Leadership) Health, Physical Education & Recreation Educational Studies

Mr. Dennis Strasser, Associate Professor of Libraries / 269-387-5230 Education Library, 3300C Sangren Hall Family & Consumer Sciences Counselor Education & Counseling Psychology Teaching Learning & Leadership -- Educational Leadership classes