Find Journal Articles - FastFind Journal Articles - Fast

By:

Christy BranstonMark Polger

the Librarythe Library

September 27, 2005

Workshop ObjectivesWorkshop Objectives

• Select appropriate databases

• Develop successful search strategies

• Combine search terms and add limits to focus a search

• Mark and save, print or email records

• Track down articles in the library and beyond

• Select appropriate databases

• Develop successful search strategies

• Combine search terms and add limits to focus a search

• Mark and save, print or email records

• Track down articles in the library and beyond

After this session, you will know how to…After this session, you will know how to…

Indexes & DatabasesIndexes & Databases

Why use them?

• Find articles on your topic (can’t use Trellis)

• Save time (faster than browsing)

• Get brief descriptions (abstracts)

• Link to Full Text articles

• Find articles on your topic (can’t use Trellis)

• Save time (faster than browsing)

• Get brief descriptions (abstracts)

• Link to Full Text articles

Indexes & DatabasesIndexes & Databases

How to Choose:

• Different databases for different topics

• Note date ranges of Indexes

• You may have to search more than one database for one topic

How to Choose:

• Different databases for different topics

• Note date ranges of Indexes

• You may have to search more than one database for one topic

Brainstorming & Breaking Down a Topic

Brainstorming & Breaking Down a Topic

• Imagine title of ideal book or magazine article“Identity and Motivation for Body Modification”

• Identify key concepts– IDENTITY / MOTIVATION / BODY MODIFICATION

• Think of synonyms / alternate search words• Background research and definitions can

help you think of possible terms

Isolating Search TermsIsolating Search Terms

IDENTITY MOTIVATION BODY MODIFICATIONIDENTITY MOTIVATION BODY MODIFICATION

Body Art

Body Marking

Tattoos

Personality

Character

Self

Students

Sailors

Prisoners

Reason

Purpose

Search Strategies Search Strategies

Body artversus

“ Body art ”versus

( Body art )

Tattooversus

Tattoo*versus

Tattoo?

Truncation Symbols:Phrase formations:

Using Boolean OperatorsUsing Boolean Operators

OR – combines synonyms in one search

AND – combines different concepts in one search

NOT – excludes concepts

OR – combines synonyms in one search

AND – combines different concepts in one search

NOT – excludes concepts

1. Tattoos

2. Tattoos

3. Tattoos

Choosing a Research Database:Choosing a Research Database:

• Choose a database according to your research topic, ensures good results.

• Research Topic: Identity & Motivation for Body Modification

• For this topic, you may try searching for scholarly journal articles in Sociological Abstracts

• Choose a database according to your research topic, ensures good results.

• Research Topic: Identity & Motivation for Body Modification

• For this topic, you may try searching for scholarly journal articles in Sociological Abstracts

Databases by subject

Databases by title A-Z

Databases by subject

Databases by title A-Z

Getting Copies of your Articles:Getting Copies of your Articles:

• Problem: Unfortunately, UW Library doesn’t have everything in every Research Database

• To get copies of articles, you will need to use the “Get it @ Waterloo” button on Sociological Abstracts.

• Most databases have the “Get-It-@-Waterloo” button

• Problem: Unfortunately, UW Library doesn’t have everything in every Research Database

• To get copies of articles, you will need to use the “Get it @ Waterloo” button on Sociological Abstracts.

• Most databases have the “Get-It-@-Waterloo” button

Getting copies of articles if they’re not at U. Waterloo

Getting copies of articles if they’re not at U. Waterloo

1. If Journal is in print and it’s located at Guelph / Laurier / Annex?

Use the TUGdoc form : found at “Request item from TRELLIS”

2. If Journal cannot be found at any of the three Universities?

Use “Request item not in TRELLIS” and choose RACER (the Interlibrary Loan requesting system)

1. If Journal is in print and it’s located at Guelph / Laurier / Annex?

Use the TUGdoc form : found at “Request item from TRELLIS”

2. If Journal cannot be found at any of the three Universities?

Use “Request item not in TRELLIS” and choose RACER (the Interlibrary Loan requesting system)

Choose article that WE DON”T have

Marking RecordsMarking Records

Subject SearchingSubject Searching

• Helps to focus your search (save time)

• Most databases use a subject index– Thesaurus– Descriptors– Subject Headings

• Helps to focus your search (save time)

• Most databases use a subject index– Thesaurus– Descriptors– Subject Headings

Evaluate the descriptorsEvaluate the descriptors

• Take a look at the descriptors (subject headings) in each citation

• Are they relevant to your research?

• Re-do your search using Descriptors instead of keywords

• Remember, a keyword search gives quantity, not necessarily quality

• Take a look at the descriptors (subject headings) in each citation

• Are they relevant to your research?

• Re-do your search using Descriptors instead of keywords

• Remember, a keyword search gives quantity, not necessarily quality

Search Multiple CSA DatabasesSearch Multiple CSA Databases

More DatabasesMore Databases

• Web of Science

• Social Sciences Fulltext

• Anthropology Plus

• Web of Science

• Social Sciences Fulltext

• Anthropology Plus

Social Sciences FulltextSocial Sciences Fulltext

Wrap-UpWrap-Up

• Break down your topic before you begin

• Select the databases you should be searching

• Track down the articles in Trellis

• Request articles from TUG

• Request articles from Racer

• Break down your topic before you begin

• Select the databases you should be searching

• Track down the articles in Trellis

• Request articles from TUG

• Request articles from Racer

Any Questions?Any Questions?