Database of the Week - ERIC

Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) is a program of the United StatesDepartment of Education. It indexes education-related literature, beginning in 1966. The ERIC database is the world’s largest source of information, containing abstracts of documents, full-text documents and journal articles on education research and practice.

The database covers descriptions and evaluations of educational programs, research reports and surveys, curriculum and teaching guides, instructional materials, position papers and resource materials.

Along with access to the journal and non-journal literature, ERIC also has a growing collection of PDF documents and content rich ERIC digests. This vast collection of literature enables a user to maximize their ERIC search. Currently, ERIC is available at the library’s website through First Search and Ebscohost. It is also accessible via the United States Department of Education’s website (www.ed.gov).

Prior to conducting an ERIC search, patrons are encouraged to become familiar with the Thesaurus of ERIC descriptors which is located in the Reference area (REF Z695.1.E3 T49 2001). These descriptors will assist patrons in searching the ERIC database.

If you experience any difficulty in using ERIC, please see your information specialist—the reference librarian or call 672-1233 for assistance.

Bernadette Ross, Reference Librarian