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Databases: search strategy, search techniques (I). [email protected] Class blog: lib105fall09.blogspot.com. In this class, . Databases (definition, examples) Periodical indexes/databases (definition, purpose) Search strategy Definition Access Tools (definition) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Databases: search strategy, search techniques (I)
[email protected] blog: lib105fall09.blogspot.com
In this class, Databases (definition, examples)
Periodical indexes/databases (definition, purpose)
Search strategy Definition Access Tools (definition) Steps (key concepts, synonyms, etc.)
Search techniques Boolean search Nested search Thesauri Field search Keyword search vs subject search
Databases
A database is a collection of data organized for rapid search and retrieval by a computer.
Examples: Amazon.com, Academic Search Premier, the library catalog (underlying DBs, different look, different content)
Databases
think databases as containers of info. a library has many containers/databases of
information
Library Catalogs
A recap library catalogs list items owned by individual
libraries search … whether the library owns a particular
item such as a book or journal search … find books, maps, magazines, videos,
and other items in the CofC Libraries be aware! library catalogs do not list individual
articles (from periodicals)
Periodical Indexes/Databases
Periodical Indexes/Databases (subscription databases, article databases) list individual articles found in journals and magazines
search a library subscription database to find articles on a topic
Search Strategy
recap: determine info need determine types of sources choose the right access tool plan a strategy conduct a search
recap: What is an access tool? An access tool is simply a print or computerized
“finding aid” that leads you to various kinds of information.
Examples? library online catalogs (OPACs), periodical indexes/databases
Search Strategy
e.g. support the thesis statement: The proliferation of fast food has led to the national problem of obesity.
type it in the search box, right? WRONG!!!!!
irrelevant words in the search statement.
Search Strategy
Recap: what is a search strategy? A search strategy is a specific plan for how you’ll
conduct an efficient and effective search so that you uncover the most relevant information that a particular access tool can provide on your topic.
Simply, How you ask
Search Strategy: Key Concepts key concepts (main ideas)
essential The proliferation of fast food
has led to the national problem of obesity.
Search Strategy: Synonyms alternative keywords
and phrases (for the key concepts), important
paper topic: What is the effect of the media on the body image of young adults?
brainstorm … … Media
televisionadvertisingmoviesmusic videos
Body imageself conceptself-esteemeating disordersanorexia
Young adultsteenagersadolescentsyouthhigh school students
Search Technique: Boolean searching a method of combining search terms using
Boolean operators:
AND OR NOT (some DBs use AND NOT)
Boolean searching -- AND
narrows your search tells the database that ALL search terms
must be present in the resulting records
Boolean searching -- AND
coffee only
tea only
Search for coffee AND tea
coffee & tea
database
results
Boolean searching -- OR
connects two or more similar terms (synonyms)
broadens your search tells the database that ANY of your search
terms can be present in the resulting records
Boolean searching -- OR
coffee only
tea only
Search for coffee OR tea
coffee & tea
database
results
Boolean searching -- NOT
excludes words from your search narrows your search tells the database to ignore word(s) that may
be implied by your search terms
Boolean searching -- NOT
coffee only
coffee & chocolat
e
Search for coffee NOT tea
coffee & tea
database
results
Boolean searching: search order search order is important DBs recognize the AND operator as being
the primary operator, and connect search terms with AND together first.
If … combination of AND and OR operators in a search, put the words to be "ORed" together in parentheses.
Boolean searching: search order Like with algebra, the terms in the
parentheses are dealt with FIRST (television OR advertising) AND (teen*
OR adoles*) AND (self concept OR self esteem) (ethic* OR moral*) AND (stem cell) AND
transplant*
Boolean searching
Don’t make your search strings too complex Check the help screen (every DB usu. has
one) to make sure of the best way to organize your search with Boolean operators in that database
Nested searching
Boolean operators can be nested using parentheses
Example: feeding AND (dogs OR puppies) Feeding dogs Feeding puppies Feeding dogs and puppies
Nested searching (more complicated) one search statement nested within another Example: ((vegetarian OR vegan) AND restaurants)
AND charleston vegetarian restaurants and charleston vegan restaurants and charleston restaurants serving both and charleston
Nested searching
Good for searching synonyms or related terms simultaneously
Expands the reach of the search (black OR afro-american OR african-american) (beach OR coast OR shore)
Using thesauri (subject search) A list of subject headings or descriptors (sometimes
called a thesaurus) assigned in a particular database that can be used to search that database
This is another way to find subject headings or descriptors for your topic.
Guide to use of terms, showing relationships between them, for the purpose of providing standardized, controlled vocabulary for information storage and retrieval
Using thesauri (DB: PsycINFO)
Using thesauri (screenshot 2)
Browsed for codependence
Found nearest match
Related terms
Create a search
Using thesauri (screenshot 3)
Keyword Search vs. Subject Search A recap
All databases provide keyword searching ask the computer to scan all words in a record, including the title,
abstract, and author (and other fields).
For example, the keyword "dating" would find the following books in a catalog:Radiocarbon Dating: An Archaeological Perspective (R.E. Taylor)The Complete History of Farm Tractors (Henry W. Dating)How to juggle women: without getting killed or going broke (Stefan Feller)
keyword in titleauthor’s last namesubjects: Dating (Social Customs)
Keyword Search vs. Subject Search
Many databases allow you to do subject searching using standardized words or phrases, these subject headings describe the
main topics of each record.
searches only the subject field of a record, more focused search results
a strength of library databases that search engines like Google don't have.
works best if you use the EXACT subject headings as defined by the database
You need to know what the database uses for the subject heading. This is where the keyword search comes in handy.
Searching for phrases
Use double quotation marks in most databases “under the influence” “stem cell”
Search Technique: Wildcard/truncation symbols a character used in keyword searching, assume the value of any
alphanumeric character, permit more options such as alternative spellings, to be achieved quickly
Check the help screens of individual databases to discover exactly what wildcard symbols to use in each database
Examples: wom?n:
woman, women, womyn educat*
educate, educated, educating, educator, education, educational Behavio$r (British and American spellings)
Behavior, behaviour
Proximity searching
how close search terms are to each other within a document
NEAR or N searches for terms next to each other in
either order e.g. democrats NEAR spending
Proximity searching
how close search terms are to each other within a document
WITHIN or W e.g. money W/10 divorce
Finds documents in which “money” and “divorce” are within 10 words of each other
Proximity searching
BEFORE and AFTER in some databases Again, check help or tips screens in each
database for specific proximity operators and how to use them
Field Searching
Looks for search terms in particular parts of the citation record
Title Author Abstract Subject/descriptor Many more, depending on the database
Review: developing a search strategy Divide your research question into key concepts Identify synonyms or related terms for each concept Combine terms using Boolean logic (AND, OR, NOT)
and nested searches Conduct a keyword search in a database Consider field searching (such as subject search),
wildcard/truncation, and proximity searches if … provides these features
How to ask (tips)
Be flexible in planning your search strategy. Understand that language (search statement) matters.
A keyword search is always a good way to start looking for information.
If you know or discover the subject heading(s), use it. It will yield more precise results (fewer false results).