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Annotations |
Database project |
Information theory presentation |
Description of situation
I researched articles from journals on topics related to Library and Information Science
and prepared annotations as part of my assignment for LSC 508. I think that if a database
of these annotations and those that have been posted on the website by my classmates is created,
the future students of LSC 508 can access the information and it would benefit them when they
work on the assignment. All students doing research can use this information and it would
enhance their own search activities as they can look for articles on specific topics and
browse by an authorís name or a journalís name. I have used Microsoft Access to create this database.
This program is part of Microsoft Office.
To run Access, one would need Windows 98 or a later version and it would work on
a personal computer which has more than 5MB space available in the hard drive. In Access, one follows the
standard Windows menu-based system as in Word or Excel; so, if one is familiar with either of those programs, one can use
Access.
Original form
The original annotation was written in the APA format.
Tenopir, C.(2002). Sorting through online systems. Library Journal, 127(8), 32(1).
Explains the similarities and differences of various online database systems accessible to
library patrons. Describes structures of databases, search techniques and output forms that
could be abstracts or full texts.
I created a table on Access with field names that would let me enter all the information in the original form. I used an autonumber as my primary key field to identify each record.
Input requirements and data definitions
| Field data | Length | A/N | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry number | 4 | N | Autonumber |
| Student's name | 20 | A | |
| First author's name | 20 | A | |
| Second author's name | 20 | A | |
| Third author's name | 20 | A | |
| Year of publication | 4 | A | |
| Title of article | 150 | A | |
| Title of journal | 50 | A | |
| Volume number | 4 | N | |
| Page number | 4 | N | |
| Number of pages | 3 | N | |
| Annotations | 500 | A | Not more than 50 words |
Estimated size of the database:
Maximum size of each record: 803 bytes
Maximum number of students in one year: 25*5(sections)=125
Maximum number of students in 5 years: 625
Maximum size of 10 records: 8030 bytes
Maximum size of file in 5 years:8030*625 =5018750 bytes or 5.0 MB
The database can be stored in the hard drive or if the information needs to be shared,
it can be stored in a writeable CD or a Zip drive. The database can be installed
on any standard personal computer with MS Access or it can
be stored on the server at URI where it would be accessible to students. The database can
be linked to Web-CT, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized use. Students
would be able to read the records on screen, search for and retrieve records
and if needed, print the records.
New form
Screen design of the form
Entry number:
Student's name:
1st Author's name:
2nd Author's name:
3rd Author's name:
Year of publication:
Title of article:
Title of journal:
Volume number:
Issue number:
Page number:
Number of pages:
Annotation:
I created a table, a form and queries to sort records in the database by 'Journal title' and by 'Year of publication'. These are two ways in which future students of LSC 508 could use the information in the database. All text fields can be sorted in alphabetical order and number fields can be sorted in ascending or descending order and reports can be printed out. To view my queries, please click on the following links.
search by journalsearch by year