Search Techniques & Using Databases

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? 1. Keywords 2. Boolean Operators

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: conservation Synonyms: preserve, maintain, keep up, list, save, improvement, betterment, advancement, “water conservation,” “oil conservation,” “soil conservation,” conservancy…

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

7. Keyword Phrase Examples: • “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”

8. Boolean Operators • AND = Narrow • OR = Expand • (Used with synonyms) • NOT = Exclude

9. How “AND” is used • AND (narrows) • conservationandenergy • conservationandpreservationand“alternative transportation”

10. How “OR” is used • OR (expands) • conservationorenvironment • improvementorbetterment • AND & OR together • conservationorenvironmentandecology • improvementorbettermentand “alternative transportation”

11. How “NOT” is used • NOT (excludes) • preparation notcookery • maintainnotembalm • AND, OR & NOT together • ecologyand“biological science” orenvironmentnotelement

12. How do I pick the right keywords? • Here is an example of a visual word search tool: • Visuwords • Use the suggestions made in the databases

13. How can I conserve energy? • First, narrow the topic • What type of energy? • Oil resources? • Water resources? • What is meant by conserve? • Health issues? • Fewer products? • Preservation? • Who is involved in conservation? • Is this a call to action? • Will I consider what can be accomplished by an individual or by groups?

14. Things to remember -- • Rely on the use of Boolean Operators to search • Remember the importance of good keywords; use synonyms that provide additional search possibilities • Formulate a research question that aids you in narrowing your search • Example: What are a few simple things we can do to protect our natural resources?

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

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

17. 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 Difference Between Scholarly and Popular Periodicals

18. Periodicals are available for use through the library, but where are they located? Take a look in the databases! BBut…how do I search?

19. 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 journals, magazines, and newspapers. • They are where most of your research will take place.

21. 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)

22. 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)

23. Periodicals List

24. Article Databases

25. Setting up an EBSCO folder

26. Next Step

27. Now you are ready to save documents as you begin searching for sources.

28. Review Search Techniques Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals Periodicals List Databases… Folder Prepared Topic Selected It’s time to begin searching!

29. Citing Database Articles – newspaper • Bernstein, Fred. “A View of Modernism Through a Vegas Lens.” New York Times 3 Jan. 2010: 11. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.

30. 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. 20 Jan. 2010.

31. Citing Database Articles – magazine source Kinnon, Joy Bennett. “Why Children Are Killing Children.” Ebony Jan. 2000: 126+. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.

32. Citing an Ebook Source Neiwert, David. How Internment Destroyed a Japanese American Community. New York: Palgrave, 2005. Ebrary. 23 Feb. 2010.

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

34. Thank You!