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 HEALTH CARE FINANCE
HSA 4170 - FALL 2006
LIBRARIAN: Bruce Barron

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Activities: In this session you will learn how to access the Library's web site and databases, where to locate useful resources for completing assignments, gain practice in navigating selected databases, and discover where to find help for correctly citing sources.

Goals: At the conclusion of this session you will be able to:

1. Access the library's resources from home or campus;
2. Locate helpful databases for doing company research;
3. Navigate selected databases as well as organize and retrieve records;
4. Find information on correct citation procedures;

Accessing Information:

The address of the Library’s web site is (http://www.fau.edu/library). In order to access databases from home you must use EZ Proxy. This can be done by going to Quick Links on the homepage and then clicking <EZ Proxy>. 

 Databases can be located in alphabetical and subject order by selecting Articles under Research Resources or Index/Databases under Quick Links.

Evaluating Resources:

The World Wide Web can be useful for providing some types of information but normally research using Databases will provide better sources of information. Some sources in databases include trade journals, industry newspapers, general business magazines, Wall Street Journal, business newswires, and scholarly journals.

These sources have different degrees of reliability. Check to see if the information is current and from an authoritative source. Also examine for objectivity and accuracy.

SELECTED DATABASES

You must use EZ Proxy to access databases from off campus.

Ø   Business and Company Resource Center is an excellent resource from which to start research on a health care provider. Use the upper tabs to navigate and find Company Profiles, financial data, histories, Investment Reports, and news articles.

Ø  Mergent provides past and present financial information in a convenient and flexible format which allows downloading to Excel. Use Edgar to locate 10-K and other reports. 

Ø    S&P Net Advantage is a valuable source for finding information on companies which operate health care facilities. Choose the appropriate  Industry Survey and discover the current environment, future trends, and ways to analyze a health care company.

Ø    Plunkett Research can be used to locate company profiles, market research, and industry statistics. Select Health Care Industry Center from the homepage.

Ø    ABI/INFORM Complete supplies journal and newspaper articles from a vast array of publishers and trade organizations. This is an excellent source for business news from the local community.

Ø    Additional sources for business news coverage can be found in LexisNexis Academic and Business Full Text.

CITING SOURCES 

Ø      A helpful site for general information on writing papers and citing sources is The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing.

Ø      A good site for specific information on correctly citing electronic sources in APA style is provided by Dr. Mary Ellen Guffy at APA Style Electronic Formats.

Finding Additional Assistance:

Ask-A-Librarian email reference help

Reference desk phone number: 561-297-3785

Make an appointment with a librarian: One-on-one reference consultation