Navigating the Washington State University Library Resources: A Comprehensive Guide
The Washington State University (WSU) library system offers a wealth of resources to support students, faculty, and researchers across various disciplines. This article provides a detailed overview of the library's resources, with a particular focus on health sciences, communication, and mass media. It will guide you through accessing articles, books, and other materials, both on and off-campus, and highlight helpful tools and services available to the WSU community.
Accessing Journal Articles
Finding relevant journal articles is a crucial part of academic research. WSU Libraries provides access to numerous databases and search tools to facilitate this process.
Search It and Databases A-Z List
When searching for resources, it's recommended to start with the WSU Libraries "Search It" tool or the "Databases A-Z" list. This is because not all vendors can use OpenAthens Federated Access to authenticate users directly. Starting from these library links ensures seamless access to subscribed content.
Communication and Mass Media Resources
For those in the communications field, including broadcasting, communication, journalism, mass media, and public relations, WSU Libraries offers specialized resources for finding journal articles. These resources allow you to search by keyword, phrase, or author, making it easier to pinpoint relevant research.
Key Databases for Research
Several databases are particularly useful for academic research at WSU:
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- PsycINFO: An index with summaries of citations to articles in over 1,300 psychology research journals. Articles date from 1806 to the present, although there are less than 146 records with publication dates prior to 1890.
- Web of Science: This comprehensive database covers journals in science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine. It also includes Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences and Science Citation Indexes, Journal Citation Reports, BIOSIS Previews, BIOSIS Citation Index, Derwent Innovations patent searching, MEDLINE, and Zoological Record.
- Sociological Abstracts: A database containing abstracted citations to articles on all aspects of sociology, social work, and other social sciences.
- MEDLINE: The largest companion to the MEDLINE index, this full-text database provides access to top-tier biomedical and health journals.
Utilizing OpenAthens and LibKey Nomad
To access resources from off-campus, use OpenAthens links to "login through your institution" from publisher sites. However, note that this option may not work with certain publishers, including AMA/JAMA, ACP/ASIM, Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Kanopy, MIT Press, Portland Press Biochemical Journal, Health Affairs, SAGE, Oxford, American Institute of Physics, and U. Toronto/JVME.
To streamline access to full-text articles from a web browser, consider downloading LibKey Nomad on your laptop or desktop. This tool can significantly simplify the process of accessing articles.
Accessing Books and Ebooks
WSU Libraries offers a vast collection of books, including a growing number of ebooks, to support research and learning.
Finding Ebooks
For topical collections of medical ebooks, consult the tabs provided on the Health Sciences Library guide. To search the library catalog for more books on a specific topic, narrow your results by date and "Type>ebooks" and "Availability>WSU Online Resources" or "Type>print books."
Health Sciences Library Resources
The Health Sciences Library, located in the Kirk H. Schulz Academic Center (SAC) building on the second and third floors, provides specialized resources for students and faculty in the health sciences. Spokane students and faculty can access the library 24/7 with their CougarCard, except during the winter holiday reduced operations.
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Point of Care Tools
Point of Care tools offer comprehensive, continuously updated topical summaries with drug decision support and risk calculators, making them invaluable for healthcare professionals.
Bookshelf
Bookshelf is a useful platform, but it is important to note that the provided link is not authenticated for WSU full text. Enhanced accessibility options, including speech functionality with ‘Read Aloud’, various font choices (including OpenDyslexic), and content controls for customizing reading experiences are available. Add ebooks to bookshelf to use Read Aloud feature. Login with Open Athens on a desktop/laptop. Additional platforms should be compatible with html screen readers or PDF readers.
Interlibrary Loan
If immediate online access to an article is unavailable, sign in to the library catalog record for the item to request an electronic copy through interlibrary loan. This service allows you to access materials from other libraries, expanding your research options.
Multimedia Resources
WSU Libraries also provide access to a variety of multimedia resources, including videos and audio materials.
Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy
Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy is a web-based product that uses fresh, unembalmed specimens to showcase the color, texture, and mobility of the living human body in 3D. The program features concise synchronized narration, and each new structure is labeled on the screen. Footage is segmented into intervals no longer than 10 minutes, and the streaming rate is capped at 250kbs.
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Bates' Visual Guide
Bates' Visual Guide delivers head-to-toe and systems-based physical examination techniques for the (Advanced) Assessment or Introduction to Clinical Medicine course. The site features more than 8 hours of ad-free streaming video.
Kanopy
Kanopy offers a wide range of subjects with 66,000 titles. However, only a limited number of currently licensed titles are available for WSU-all Spokane, Pullman, Tri-Cities, Everett and Global Campus affiliates.
Accessing Audio Content
To access audio content for articles, limit your search results to "Full Text," then scroll down and select the "Full feature reading view" in the window. Select the headphones listen icon in the upper right corner to listen to the audio, which can be downloaded as an mp3 file.
Additional Resources and Tools
WSU Libraries offers several additional resources and tools to enhance your research experience.
TRIP Database
TRIP is a UK-based clinical search engine designed to help users quickly and easily find and use high-quality research evidence. Originally, TRIP stood for Turning Research Into Practice.
CURRENT Practice Guidelines in Primary Care
CURRENT Practice Guidelines in Primary Care converts lengthy and cumbersome text into a practical, relevant collection of available options for busy clinicians. Each topic is carefully selected for relevance to the office practice of ambulatory medicine, and the text is presented in a convenient, easy-to-navigate outline and tabular format. The system-based organization makes information retrieval fast, easy, and logical. The most thorough print compendium of guidelines for primary care practice, the book features content drawn from government agencies, expert panels, medical specialty organizations, and other professional and scientific authorities.
National Guidelines Clearinghouse Replacement
This resource serves as the replacement for the National Guidelines Clearinghouse, providing authoritative guidelines for primary care clinicians to diagnose and treat common outpatient conditions. The guidelines are compiled, distilled, and updated for easy referencing.
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus offers quality consumer health information from the National Library of Medicine, providing access to extensive information about specific diseases and conditions.
Accessibility Features
WSU Libraries are committed to providing accessible resources for all users. Enhanced accessibility options are available, including speech functionality with ‘Read Aloud’, various font choices (including OpenDyslexic), and content controls for customizing reading experiences. These features can be accessed by limiting results after a search to "Full Text," then scrolling down and selecting "Full feature reading view" in the window.
Assistance and Support
WSU Libraries offer various forms of assistance and support to help users navigate their resources effectively.
Librarian Appointments
Book an appointment with a librarian for additional assistance with your research. Librarians can provide personalized guidance and help you find the resources you need.
College of Medicine Office of Technology
The College of Medicine Office of Technology subscribes to Medical Education Applications that are not available through the library.
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