Search Techniques & Using Databases

Jane LongMLIS, University of OklahomaMA, Wright State University

Reference Services LibrarianAl Harris Library jane.long@swosu.edu

How do I get started?

1. Keywords2. Boolean Operators

Search Techniques1. Keywords

– Flexible Terms– Easy Searches– Less Accuracy in Searching– Use of Phrases– Use Synonyms

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.

Keywords: SynonymsKeyword phrase: conservation Synonyms: preserve, maintain,

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

Keyword Phrases• Single concept, multiple words• Some electronic resources require

keyword phrases be enclosed with punctuation by using– Quotation marks– Parenthesis

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”

Boolean Operators• AND = Narrow • OR = Expand

– (Used with synonyms)

• NOT = Exclude

How “AND” is used• AND (narrows)

– conservation and energy– conservation and preservation and

“alternative transportation”

How “OR” is used• OR (expands)

– conservation or environment– improvement or betterment

• AND & OR together– conservation or environment and

ecology– improvement or betterment and

“alternative transportation”

How “NOT” is used• NOT (excludes)

– preparation not cookery– maintain not embalm

• AND, OR & NOT together– ecology and “biological science” or

environment not element

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

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?

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?

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

Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals

What is the difference?

Difference Between Scholarly and Popular PeriodicalsPOPULAR 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

Periodicals are available for use through the library, but where are they located?

Take a look in the databases!

BBut…how do I search?

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.

Full-text articlesFull-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)

Periodicals ListA 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)

Periodicals List

Article Databases

Setting up an EBSCO folder

Next Step

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

It’s time to begin searching!

1. Review Search Techniques

2. Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals

3. Periodicals List4. Databases…5. Folder Prepared6. Topic Selected

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.

Citing Database Articles – journal sourceRozsa, 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.

Citing Database Articles – magazine sourceKinnon, Joy Bennett. “Why Children Are Killing

Children.” Ebony Jan. 2000: 126+.

Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Jan.

2010.

Citing an Ebook Source

Neiwert, David. How Internment Destroyed a

Japanese American Community. New York:

Palgrave, 2005. Ebrary. 23 Feb. 2010.

Questions?

• Contact me:– Jane Long

• 774-3030• jane.long@swosu.edu• http://faculty.swosu.edu/jane.long

Thank You!