EAF 579: Research Seminar in Finance

Suggested Databases and Search Strategies

Usually the first choice for locating articles related to education is the ERIC database. ERIC is a large database that covers from 1968 to the present. It includes citations for journal articles (both scholarly and practitioner-oriented), books, and what are called ERIC Documents. ERIC Documents are usually government documents, papers presented at conferences, or other reports. ERIC Documents from 1993 to the present are usually available full text online.

ERIC is available through Milner from four different sources that have four different interfaces. Although searching all four is not necessary (or even recommended), the different interfaces have different features, and different interfaces may yield better results for certain topics. There is no "right" or "wrong" interface or way to do a search.

The EBSCO database allows users to search "all text" of articles IF EBSCO owns the full text (remember that IF). The term "tax limitation" is not a subject heading, and it is a fairly specific term that might show up only in the text of an article. A very broad search strategy might be to search all text for tax limit* or tax cap* in ERIC (EBSCO). Remember that some of the citations retrieved may be "false drops". For examples, the words typed in might be used in a different context. However, using a database where all of the citations are related to the field of education should help prevent getting too many false drops. Since we did not apply any limits, some of the citations may be for brief news updates.

Sometimes, even searching "all text" may not retrieve many citations. Another options is to click on the "Choose Databases" tab and add the database Academic Search Premier (a large interdisciplinary database). To avoid getting too many news items, limiting to "Peer Reviewed" might be a good choice. The resulting set for school aid formula* retrieves several citations that mention school aid formulas, although the focus of the article is something else. It is usually fairly easy to spot citations of minimal relevance.

Although you might want to try searching multiple databases for Tax Increment Financing and Enterprise Zones, since you specifically want articles related to education, this strategy may not be the most efficient. Searching ERIC for tax increment financing or enterprise zones yields a fairly manageable set.

For some topics, there are specific subject headings. For example, ERIC has a subject heading for Educational Equity (Finance). However, note that this search retrieves over 1600 hits--far more than is reasonable to go through. You can add addditional terms or you can apply different limits. Limiting to Reports, Research from 2000-2008 is just one way to potentially retrieve more relevant articles. Try different combinations-- combining SU Descriptor educational equity finance AND KE Identifier illinois is just one other possibility.

Some potentially relevant subject headings used in ERIC are COURT LITIGATION; EDUCATIONAL EQUITY (FINANCE); EDUCATIONAL FUNDING; EQUALIZATION AID; FUNDING FORMULAS; PROPERTY TAXES; SCHOOL DISTRICT WEALTH; SCHOOL TAXES; TAX ALLOCATION; TAX RATES

A second database which should prove useful is Dissertations and Theses. Most dissertations from 1997 on are available full text. This database relies almost exclusively on key word searching, so try different combinations. You might want to try adding "Illinois".  Keep in mind that these are frequently lengthy (so don't hit the "Print" key without checking!).  Be sure to check the bibliographies.  Let Sharon know if you run into problems.

Local newspapers frequently publish information about school districts.  Some newspapers have free web sites, but many do not.  One possible database is Newspaper Source.  Click on Publications to see a list of the newspapers that are indexed.  Academic Universe/Lexis Nexis is another source.  To limit to newspapers, click on the tab for Sources. After the number 1, select News and Business Sources. After the number 2, filter by United States and News. After the number 3, select General News Sources. You can then maneuver the alphabetical list.  Note that Illinois News Sources, which will allow you to search all of the newspapers from Illinois that are indexed, is one option.  Milner also has a subscription to the Chicago Tribune.

Suggested Journals

One strategy that frequently works is to identify key journals and search within those journals. Some suggested journals are: Journal of Education Finance (Note: It may be easier to search this title using ERIC (EBSCO) and limiting to the journal, but remember that it is only full text from from 1998 volume: 23 issue:1 until 2006 volume: 31 issue:4); Economics of Education Review; Journal of Law and Education.

Please feel free to directly contact Sharon if you need an article that is not available full text.

Legal Information

Probably the best source of information is Academic Universe (Lexis Nexis). You might want to try some general searches, but you may get too many "hits." Another strategy might be to limit your search to Education Law sources. Go to Academic Universe (Lexis Nexis): 1) Click on the Sources tab; after "1", choose Area of Law. After "2" filter by United States; Publication Type could be either All Publication Types or Law Reviews & Journals. After 3 select Education Law.

Statistical and other Online Sources

Education Finance Statistics Center

Funding Gap

Interactive Illinois Report Card

Just for the Kids

Public Elementary Secondary Education Finance Data

School Finance (Illinois Board of Education)

School Matters

School Spending (articles from the American School Board Journal)

Urban Institute