Thing 17

Databases and internet resources related to research are my primary teaching resources in my role as information literacy teacher for my school.  In that role I extensively use and teach the MEL databases.
In 2010 I served on an advisory board for the Library of Michigan reviewing the MEL databases with the mandate to evaluate information needs of library patrons across the state.  I worked with librarians from public libraries, college libraries, business libraries, law libraries, hospital libraries and special libraries/archives.  I was the sole school media specialist selected to serve on this board.  With all that in mind I am going to take liberty with the requirements of Assignment 17. 

Best MEL databases for high school age researchers:

Info Trac student edition
Gale Cengage database
Audience : Secondary students
Full text: Yes
Citation Service: Yes
Advanced search: Yes
Default bias search: keyword
Liabilities:  Citation is not MLA 8th edition.  Citations require more than one click to find.

Academic Onefile
Gale Cengage database
Audience: Secondary - College
Full text:  Yes
Citation service: Yes
Advanced search:  Yes
Default basic search: keyword
Liabilities:  Academic Onefile defaults to searching Academic journals - can be a difficult entry point for the young student researcher.  Citation service is not MLA 8th edition.  Citations require more than one click to find.

OmniOnefile
H.W. Wilson Database
Audience: General
Full Text: Yes
Citation Service: Yes
Advanced search:  Yes
Default basic search:  No- defaults to advanced search but dialogue boxes default to All search terms.
Liabilities:  Does not automatically search only full text results - high school students get frustrated with citation and abstract only results. 


If you would have asked me a year ago which was the best MEL database for the high school researcher I probably would have said either Info Trac Student or Academic Onefile.  OmniOnefile is now my first choice.  In my opinion the interface is easier for the student to use and the citation features are superior.  Database scope and coverage is equal with Gale's databases.

Other very useful MEL databases for the high school student:

Helath and Wellness Center - good for medical information and research in the health related fields.  Does not offer citation service - major downer for high school researchers.

Newsbank Michigan Newspapers-Newsbank America's News Magazines is contained within this database.  The search interface is high quality and since it is a smaller database (only newsmagazines) and the search is more precise there are fewer instances of false drop results.

SIRS Renaissance - Good coverage of the humanities and literature. 

Educator Reference Complete - Topics involving school law and other aspects of school life make this a nice resource for students