Database Review by Library PTS (Part Time Student Librarian) - Using Access Science

Review by Amilia Chai Hui Yong

Click the image above to access the database

1.   Which feature(s) I like the most about the database?
Access Science, from McGraw-Hill Education is the most trustworthy, broad-based, online scientific reference which offers a combination of information through relevant articles as well as media like videos and animations. This database has features that allow users to obtain information and learn in a quick and easy way, which are
i)    Search for keywords & topics
ii)    Articles
iii)    Media


i)    Search for keywords & topics

This feature allows user to type directly type the keywords in the search column to look for the specific articles they want. (Heart disease, osteoporosis, etc) Besides, users can also search through topics, such as health sciences.

Type keyword in search box

Browse according to available topics

ii)    Articles

The article

After a keyword is search, all the relevant articles will appear in context form, and all the keywords the users have typed will be highlighted in yellow. To prevent from losing the top favourite article of the users, the users can even save the specific article they want. On the left of the screen, users can also refine the content type that they want, for example, articles only or research review only. At the same time, users can also narrow down the topic to all topics, or health sciences only and etc to ease the process of searching.

Full text access

After clicking into the article, users can read the article in full text, with all the full explanation as well as the the source of article such as the author’s name, updated year and etc. On the top right of the article, users can find beneficial features like save, cite, email, print, share and link. Users can cite this article on their research project as well as email it and share to their friends on the good articles that they found.

Saving image

Users can also save any images found in the full text article, along with keywords regarding to the topic such as arteriosclerosis which will lead them to another source of information regarding heart disease.



iii)    Media

The media page

As for media, this database allows user to search for keywords on the videos and animations as well as images they want. They can also search by topic on the specific image they want to ease the process of learning.

Downloading a video

For example, an osteoporosis video has been searched and users can either play the video online OR download the video into their device. Besides that, users can make use of the key features at the top right which are save, cite, email, print, share and also link.


2.   Has the database benefit you in your learning process?
Yes, this database has benefit me a lot during my learning process. In pharmacy, we get to prepare a lot of reports and assignments as well as PBL. Lecturers normally emphasise on relevant sources and it is not easy to find videos of animation as well as articles from relevant resources. Access Science aids me a lot on this. Besides, I can also cite the articles in my assignment, and show the videos or animations to my friends during the PBL sessions.

3.   Does the database suit you or any other programs and why?
This database benefits me a lot during my early semester in pharmacy as it contains more on basic health sciences knowledge. I would say, it suits more on students who are in foundation in science or students who are having their early semester in medicine.

4.   Would you recommend this database to your colleagues and why?
I would recommend this database to my juniors, especially those in foundation or early semester of pharmacy as well as medicine. I believe that it will be beneficial to them and aid in their learning process. They will have a better understanding on their syllabus with the aid of videos and animations shown in Access Science.