What Is EBSCO and Why Should You Use It?
When your teacher asks you to find "credible sources," they're not talking about a random Google search. They mean sources like the ones found in EBSCO — a collection of professional databases that give you access to thousands of magazine articles, academic journals, encyclopedias, and primary source documents.
Unlike open websites, every article in EBSCO has been reviewed and published by experts. That means you can trust what you find there — and your teachers will trust it too.
How to Access EBSCO
- Go to the library's resource page on the school website.
- Click the EBSCO Databases link.
- If prompted, enter the student login credentials (posted in the library and provided by your teacher).
- Choose the database that fits your topic (see the guide below).
You can also access EBSCO from home using the same login — no need to be on the school network!
Which EBSCO Database Should You Use?
| Database | Best For | Reading Level |
|---|---|---|
| Explora for Students | General research, current events, science, social studies | Middle & High School |
| Primary Search | Elementary-level research across all subjects | Elementary |
| MasterFILE Premier | In-depth articles, full-text magazines & journals | High School & Advanced |
| Newspaper Source | Current events, news articles, editorials | All Levels |
| Biography Reference Bank | Research on famous people, historical figures | Middle & High School |
Search Tips to Get Better Results
- Use keywords, not full sentences. Instead of "What causes climate change?", search climate change causes.
- Use AND, OR, NOT to narrow or expand results. Example: solar energy AND cost or dolphins OR porpoises.
- Put phrases in quotes to search for exact terms: "civil rights movement".
- Use the filters panel on the left to limit results by date, publication type, or reading level.
- Check "Full Text" to make sure you can access the entire article, not just a summary.
Saving & Citing Your Sources
EBSCO makes it easy to save your work. You can:
- Email or print any article directly from the database.
- Click the Cite button (looks like quotation marks) to generate a ready-made citation in MLA, APA, or Chicago format.
- Use the folder icon to save multiple articles to a temporary folder during your session.
Always double-check auto-generated citations before submitting — they're usually accurate but occasionally need small corrections.
Need Help? Ask the Librarian!
EBSCO can feel overwhelming at first, but once you run a couple of searches it becomes very intuitive. Stop by the library for a quick one-on-one tutorial, or ask Mrs. Bond to visit your class for a database demonstration. We're happy to help!