Mississippi State University Libraries : Changes to the ERIC Database

ERIC is changing! ERIC, one of the core databases and resources in the field of educational research, is undergoing a number of changes. The web page below documents some of the changes to the content of ERIC and related ERIC services. For assistance in locating educational materials while ERIC is in transition, please contact the Ready Reference Desk at 325-7667 or Email a Librarian.

Changes

The U.S. Department of Education has begun the process of "reengineering" the ERIC database. While the mission remains the same, the ERIC database will no longer be maintained by 16 separate clearinghouses. The bid process has begun to select a private contractor who will develop the new ERIC database. The following changes will effect users of ERIC and its related services. The next section provides information about alternate sources for ERIC and education related materials.

The ERIC Clearinghouses and AskERIC ceased as of December 19, 2003. The websites supporting the ERIC Clearinghouses have been discontinued.
During the transition period in 2004, the ERIC database will continue to load ERIC documents that were in the backlog for processing in 2003. No new journal citations or indexing will be added in 2004 until the new database is released. Researches will need to use other indexing and abstracting tools to identify recent journal literature until the new database is released in the Fall of 2004 (see below for other research options.)
EDRS (ERIC Document Reproduction Service) is scheduled to close September 2004. ERIC microfiche shipments will cease June 30, 2004.

Note that the Mississippi State University Libraries continues to provide access to the ERIC database through the Libraries' indexes and databases web page. ERIC remains a useful resource, providing access to both ERIC documents and the indexing/abstracting of key educational journals. Users will also continue to be able to use the SFX option to identify full-text access to journal articles and to verify local print holdings. The MSU Libraries will continue to support the Ebsco version of ERIC until it is discontinued by the vendor.

For additional information about the ERIC changes, consult some of the following websites:

ERIC Reauthorization News
http://www.lib.msu.edu/corby/education/doe.htm: An excellent resource, chronicling the changes in ERIC services and providing a current update on the proposed changes and timelines.


http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2004/03/03182004.html: March 18, 2004 press release, announcing the contract award to Computer Sciences Corporation.


http://www.lib.msu.edu/corby/education/eric/clearinghouseplans.htm: Documents where clearinghouse material may be archived.

Alternate Resources

The following resources may assist educational researches and serve as a useful supplement to the ERIC database. Note that most of these resources are restricted to MSU affiliated users.

Academic Search Premier
Available electronically.
** For remote access, you must be affiliated with Mississippi State University.**: Academic Search Premier, a large general database, includes access to a number of educational resources. Note that users may restrict their search to just peer-reviewed publications.


http://www.eduref.org/: Hosted by the Information Institute of Syracuse, the Educator's Desk Reference provides access to some of the resources previously hosted by the ERIC website. Includes access to lesson plans and the AskERIC questions archive.

Professional Development Collection
Available electronically.
** For remote access, you must be affiliated with Mississippi State University.**: From the database description: "Designed for professional educators, this database provides a highly specialized collection of nearly 600 full text journals, including more than 350 peer-reviewed titles. Professional Development Collection is the most comprehensive collection of full text education journals in the world."

Teacher Reference Center
Available electronically.
** For remote access, you must be affiliated with Mississippi State University.**: Available via the Ebsco indexes listing (select "Go Directly to EbscoHost" link from the Indexes and Databases page; select EbscoHost web; scroll down and select Teacher Reference Center.) Provides "indexing and abstracts for over 280 teacher and administrator trade journals to assist professional educators."

Page created by Deborah Lee, Associate Professor/Coordinator, Library Instructional Services. Created 3/19/04.

Spotlight

Changes to the ERIC Database