Building database searches

Slide 1:Building database searches

Write your research question and find the key terms. Expand or modify a list of other possible words or phrases you could use. Did you leave out an important concept that may help you refine or answer your question? compact discs or certificates of deposit?  predicting number of CDs sold in the first week released New sales retail sales

Slide 2:��� Select a research source. Do you need background information? To define term(s)?To clarify concepts?

predicting average prices for a new car (automobile? vehicle?) price is cost to dealer or consumer? average in a class of cars or across the spectrum-- from Escort to Mazarati?

Slide 3: Become familiar with common database characteristics and search features, such as  truncation ? *  symbols used to indicate a term �must appear� in your results + Boolean logic, combining terms with and, or or not

(+car or +auto?) and (cost? or price?)

Slide 4:����Be aware of information architecture: Is this a full text database, abstracts, an index or a reference source? Is it searchable? Do you need to use capitals and punctuation? How do the results sort? Can you refine your search or do you work from a search history?

Slide 5: Manage your search. Keep track of WHERE you searched and what database terms were used for your concept. If the electronic database isn�t full-text online, how do you find the article or source? Evaluate your search results and sources.

Slide 7:Now you try a few searches

predicting impact of Super Bowl advertising predicting number of people who will use the Chunnel between London and France predicting tuition costs at private colleges. Key terms? Alternate terms or phrases? Where will this information be? Who or what organization or group compiled it? Which databases or sources are *best*