Instructional Guides

Chicano Database

Scope

The Chicano Database identifies all types of material on the Latino experience in the United States. Topics focus on both Chicanos and Mexican Americans but since 1992 the scope of the database was expanded to include Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and Central American immigrants.

Coverage

Over 42,000 bibliographic citations from 1965 to present are included. The database is updated quarterly and is consistently two years behind the current date. Consequently, it should not be used for current event research.

Coverage is in all subject areas, and includes books, Chicano journals, mainstream journals, anthologies of all types, and other forms of publication. This database includes the Spanish Speaking Mental Health Database which covers psychology, sociology, and education. Portions of the Chicano Database have been published in paper formats including the Chicano Periodical Index, the Chicano Index, Arte Chicano: An Annotated Bibliography of Chicano Art, 1965-1981, the Chicano Anthology Index, the Chicana Studies Index: Twenty Years of Gender Research, 1981-1991 and Hispanic Mental Health Research: A Reference Guide. These titles are all available at the CSULB, University Library. Check COAST for additional information.

Searching Hints

"Simple" and "Advanced" search modes are provided. "Simple" is best used when a single word or a phrase is being searched. "Advanced" allows the user to search additional files within the database. Boolean operators can be used in the "Advanced" mode.

Simple Search: Click on the file you need to search.

Example: Keyword Subject

Author Abstract Word

Title Journal

Type in your key word(s) in the dialog box. Click "Search" to start your search.

A browse screen displays information for every heading near the requested word(s).

Seeing Your Results

An Author, Title, or Subject display includes one line for each author, title, or subject, with a count of the records that use that author, title, or subject.

Author, Title, and Subject displays are in alphabetical order.

Searches for Authors, Titles, or Subjects lead to Browse displays that include all authors, titles, or subjects in the entire database. The third line shows the author, title, or subject most closely matching your search term.

Author Word, Title Word, or Subject Word searches that match more than one Author, Title, or Subject lead to displays listing only the authors, titles, or subjects matching your search term.

You can click on one author, title, or subject to retrieve matching records or check one or more authors, titles, or subjects and choose the record display you prefer (List, Brief, or Full).

These displays do NOT indicate whether the item is available at the CSULB University Library. Users must check the SFX icon and/or COAST for holding information.

The "Limit" buttons allow you to select articles by "Date, Language," or "Form/Genre."

Saving the Results

1. Check box(es) to the left of the citation.

2. Select either "Email" or "Print" in the toolbar.

3. Follow the prompts for saving. Result will be copied in the "full display" format.