1 / 36

Search Techniques & Using Databases

Search Techniques & Using Databases . Jane Long MLIS, University of Oklahoma MA, Wright State University Reference Services Librarian Al Harris Library jane.long@swosu.edu. How do I get started?. Search Techniques: . Keywords Flexible Terms Easy Searches Less Accuracy in Searching

happy
Download Presentation

Search Techniques & Using Databases

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Search Techniques & Using Databases Jane Long MLIS, University of Oklahoma MA, Wright State University Reference Services Librarian Al Harris Library jane.long@swosu.edu

  2. How do I get started?

  3. Search Techniques: • Keywords • Flexible Terms • Easy Searches • Less Accuracy in Searching • Use of Phrases • Use Synonyms

  4. Identifying Keywords • Identify the significant terms and concepts that describe your topic from your thesis statement or research question. • These terms will become the key for searching catalogs, databases and search engines for information about your subject.

  5. Keywords: Synonyms Keyword phrase: green society Synonyms: environmentalism, sustainable living, social responsibility, clean energy, ecological modernization, environmental protection, environmental aspects, green movement, political ecology, recycling ethic, preservation…

  6. Keyword Phrases • Single concept, multiple words • Some electronic resources require keyword phrases be enclosed with punctuation by using • Quotation marks • Parenthesis

  7. Gasoline Taxes -- Highway Trust Fund -- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) -- Transportation spending -- Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) -- Fuel efficiency Government Bailout Bear Stearns Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Housing bill Savings and loan crisis Henry Paulson Subprime mortgages Keyword Phrase Examples

  8. Search Techniques: 2. Boolean Operators • Connect keywords only • Must be placedbetween keywords • AND • Narrows your search • OR • Expands your search with synonymous terms • NOT • Excludes words from your search • If used too much, it can work against you!

  9. Treatment of employees by fast food restaurants • First, narrow down the topic • Which restaurants are you talking about? • What kind of treatment? • Good or Bad • Focusing on: • Working environment & hours • Benefits & Pay • Promotion & Opportunities • How are employees treated by their peers? Manager(s)? Customer(s)?

  10. How “AND” is used • AND (narrows) • restaurantandemployee • restaurantandemployeeand“retirement benefits”

  11. How “OR” is used • OR (expands) • restaurantorcafeteria • salaryorincome • AND & OR together • restaurantorcafeteriaandemployee • salaryorincomeand “work hours”

  12. How “NOT” is used • NOT (excludes) • cafeterianotschool • incomenotinflux • AND, OR & NOT together • employeeandrestaurantorcafeterianotschool

  13. Search Strategy • Endless possibilities… • employee OR worker AND cafeteria AND salary • employee AND restaurant AND salary OR income • waitress AND eatery AND income

  14. Class Exercise • Keyword Building Exercise Brainstorming Ideas: student, train, work (You are considering today’s economy and preparation for employment as a beginning topic possibility.) • Your keyword choices should be synonyms

  15. Today’s job market salary learner practice student work train apprentice livelihood educate

  16. Finding Articles • We find articles in periodicals. This includes magazines, scholarly journals, and newspapers • Many of these resources are available in print • Many are available through our library databases

  17. Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals What is the difference?

  18. Difference Between Scholarly and Popular Periodicals POPULAR MAGAZINES • USUALLY SOMEWHAT SLICK AND ATTRACTIVE IN APPEARANCE • RARELY CITE SOURCES. INFO. IS USUALLY SECONDARY, REPORTED FROM SOURCE • ARTICLES SHORT, WRITTEN IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE AND FOR A MINIMAL EDUCATION LEVEL • USUALLY LOT OF ADVERTISING AND PICTURES • PAGINATION RESTARTS IN EVERY ISSUE SCHOLARLY JOURNALS • HAVE A SOBER, SERIOUS LOOK • ALWAYS CITE THEIR SOURCES IN FOOTNOTES/ ENDNOTES AND INCLUDE BIBLIOGRAPHIES • ARTICLES WRITTEN BY A SCHOLAR OR RESEARCHER “HORSE’S MOUTH” • PEER-REVIEWED BY SCHOLARS • LANGUAGE OF JOURNAL ASSUMES SOME SCHOLARLY BACKGROUND ON THE PART OF READER • ADVERTISING IS SPECIALIZED TO THAT DISCIPLINE • PAGINATION IS USUALLY CUMULATIVE

  19. I need periodical sources, so I will begin by searching the databases!

  20. Databases are: • Large, regularly updated files of digitized information related to a specific subject or field. • They are the place where we find articles from scholarly publications, magazines, and newspapers. • They are the best source for your research.

  21. Databases 101: Differences Between Brands & Products • EBSCOHost • Academic Search Complete • ERIC • Newspaper Source • CINAHL • MEDLINE Plus • SPORTDiscus • Nike • Shoes for… • Men • Women • Children • Basketball • Baseball/Softball • Running • Soccer • Golf

  22. Full-text articles Full-text articles indicate the entire article can be found within the database, no physical searching is necessary. Full-text articles are accessible in the following ways: • HTML (displays like a web page) • PDF (displays like a photocopy; best for citing info) • Linked (hyperlinks to full-text in another location)

  23. Periodicals List A directory used to identify the location of journals, magazines and newspapers accessible through the library regardless of format Formats: • Electronic (article database) • Paper (soft or hard bound) • Microfilm (reel) • Microfiche (card)

  24. Periodicals List

  25. Periodicals List Exercise • Is the periodical a magazine or a journal? • Does the library have access to this periodical? • How do you know?

  26. Searching Techniques Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals Periodicals List Databases 101 The search for articles should begin by creating an EBSCO folder.

  27. Setting up an EBSCO folder

  28. Next Step

  29. With a folder, you are ready to save documents as you begin searching for sources.

  30. Article Databases

  31. Citing Database Articles – magazine source • Bernstein, Fred. "Architecture That Makes a Difference." Architectural Record Oct. 2008: 65- 65. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.

  32. Citing Database Articles – journal source • Rozsa, Lajos. “A Psychochemical Weapon Considered by the Warsaw Pact: A Research Note.” Substance Use & Misuse 44.2(2009): 172-78. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.

  33. Exercise • Academic Search Complete Worksheet

  34. Questions? • Contact me: • Jane Long • 774-3030 • jane.long@swosu.edu • Faculty webpage: http://faculty.swosu.edu/jane.long/

  35. Thank You!

More Related