This slideshow gives some tips for doing the comparison/contrast document on two different library electronic resources.

1. Collaborative
Document
Assignment Tips

2. Compare & contrast the
following
•What each gives you access to
•What topics each covers
•The layout of the home page and subsequent pages
•Ease of use
•What each is used for, such as searching for news
articles, giving encyclopedia information about science
topics, telling you where to find information, etc.
•Currency of information
•Where information comes from (authors, editors, etc.)
•Whether the information is specialized or general

3. Describe the databases
•Hover over the name of the database on the library’s
Electronic Resources page. A description of the
database will pop up.
•If there is an About link on the web page, read it.
•Use the web page to see what it offers.

4. Format the Comparison/Contrast
Statement
•In the comparison/contrast statement consider using a
table or some other graphic representation.
•Do one to one comparisons/contrasts.
For example:
Database A covers -- Database B covers
science topics general topics.
Database A allows you -- Database B allows you
to search articles to search articles
written by authors published outside the
specifically for the database.
database.

5. Give Step by Step Instructions
Tell step by step how to use the main function or
functions of the database.
•Number the instructions.
1. Type a key term into the search box.
2. Click the Search button.
3. Scroll through the list of articles and read the
summaries to find the one you want.
•Describe the main features of the database.
•Use the Authors tab to search for a particular
author.
•Use the Date tab to search for articles that
occurred on that specific date.