First Research

The database I reasearched tonight is First Research. This database covers all kinds of different aspects of business. There is a search box like many other databases. First Research also includes a main topic search where general links are provided in order to navigate users to what they are looking for more easily. Since I usually spend my summers in a grain elevator I decided to do my search on agriculture crop production. The search brought up a large article that is devided into chapters like recent developments, financial infromation, trends and opportunities and more. You can view all chapters at once or click on the link at the side and the database will navigate you to the chapter of your choice. The article provided information about producers, statistics about production, new technologies that impove farming, soil information and much more. The page also offers links to other sources that may be helpful to users. There is a tab at the top of the home page that says states and provinces. When I clicked on it a map appeared where users can chose a state they want information about. An article then comes up with all kinds of information about that state. Users can see the unemployment rate, export statistics, and tax revenue information. Users can also see what towns in that state are hiring and which are laying workers off. There are also major industry updates where patrons can get the latest information on health care, manufacturing, tourism, and more as it pertains to that state. This database is so helpful. I really think its creators covered all their bases. There is tons of information on this site, and it is easy to use.

wired.MD

The second research project i completed today was over wired.MD. This database provides video and full articles to patients and medical students to help them develop a better understanding of medical issues. The coolest thing about this database was the little animated body at the side. Users can choose male or female then scroll over any part of the body and click to bring up information about that particular area. Upon clicking articles on that topic pop up in a little dialog looking box towards that side. A user can scroll through these results quickly and find information they are looking for without ever having to tough the keyboard. When you choose a major topic there are other sub areas you can choose to, like watching video about the subject, reading handouts, viewing prescription information and more. This database has a basic search like any other database where users can type in their topics, but it also has a search by specialty option. This site is SOOOO simple to use and there is really no need to ever touch the keys. It is all just a click away. Vidoes come right up on the window as well as articels too. Users are never navigated away from the home screen it all pops up on one page. I really like this database.

MedlinePlus

Today I did my first research project over Medline plus.Medline Plus was designed to answer medical questions. This datebase brings together medical information from proffesional sources all over the world. On the homepage I did a basic search on oncology. When the site brought up my search results it first defined Oncology in everyday terms. One result said intestinal cancers. I clicked on it and it brought up a page that begins by defining the subject and giving you other names the it is known by. Then it gives you tons of links that have resources, ways to learn more, recent developments, research help and more. The database also gives pictures and models to help in the research process. Statistical information as well as an Encyclopedia are included in search results. This database is not very exciting but it does work well, and it gives the users tons of information.

NHS Evidence

The data base I researched today is called NHS evidence. This database was created as a melting pot for medical information and new and cutting edge evidence in the medical field. This database provides free access to clinical and non-clinical medical infromation on small scales and large scales. The website was created for nurses, pharmacists, librarians, allied health proffesionals and more. One thing I thought was really neat was the users ability to registar then the database sends them updates in their area of work or intrest. This database saves searches and even small parts of searches like a sentence or paragraph the user found helpful or interesting. You can also rate entries that fall under your searches with a star system ranging from very helpful to useless. The searches bring up different sources like journals, articles and books. I thought that was neat because it would give someone maybe writing a paper many differnt sources especially if the prof. requires so many book sources or a certian number of article sources and so on. This site took me a little bit to figure out but all in all it is very useful.

How Could I Improve My Communication Skills?

While thinking about this question a few things popped into my head. I am a "talker". I am rarely afraid to say what is on my mind, and I don't struggle with expressing my opinion. I think sometimes because I am so outgoing I come across as cocky and people think that I might not be listening to them. I need to spend more time listening instead of planning my rebuttal so that it comes across that I do care, and that I want to hear what they have to say. Another area I struggle with is watching peoples body language and dealing with the problem before they say anything. Jason mentioned earlier that he can always tell when the printer is acting up by the way people are reacting to it. I don't think I pay close enough attention to peoples body language so that I could address a problem before they even get up to complain. I need to watch more closely. Lastly I always seem to be in such a hurry that I rarely re-read what I type. I am sure that this entry is full of typos. (hopefully I will remember to proof read before I send it.) I am not always in a hurry but I tend to always be thinking about the next thing I have to do and sometimes neglect to check for misspelled words or things that might not come across clearly. I need to slow down and reserve all my focus for the task at hand instead of always thinking about what has to be done next!