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?
1. Keywords
2. Boolean Operators
Search Techniques
1. 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: Synonyms
Keyword 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 Periodicals
POPULAR MAGAZINES
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
•
•
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
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 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)
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)
Periodicals List
Article Databases
Setting up an EBSCO folder
Next Step
Now you are ready to save
documents as you begin searching
for sources.
1. Review Search
Techniques
2. Scholarly vs.
Popular Periodicals
3. Periodicals List
4. Databases…
5. Folder Prepared
6. Topic Selected
It’s time to begin searching!
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 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.
Citing Database Articles –
magazine source
Kinnon, 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!