Develop a search statement for searching a database? First, you need to understand what a database is and how it is compiled. Then, you can learn how to communicate with the database – or develop a search statement

So - what is a database? A database is an organized collection of information that is electronically stored on a computer and is organized in such a way that the information can be retrieved by searching. It could be thought of as electronic filing cabinet.

What does the “insides” of a database look like? It looks like a file cabinet … The “files” are records of the information stored in the database. Each of these records is made up of fields. Below is a diagram of the inside structure of a database: Title: Author: Source: Publication date: Subject: Title: Author: Source: Publication date: Subject : Title: Author: Source: Publication date: Subject : Records (a collection of fields) Fields (parts of the record) Each field is compiled into a “file” that is searchable. Database (Collection of records)

A database does not understand human language. It can only match words – the words you enter as search terms to the words that are stored in the database. So, you have to learn to “talk” to the database. How do you do that? Step 1: Select the words (keywords) from your research question to enter. Step 2: Connect the keywords in a search statement How do you “communicate” with a database?

Step 1: Identifying the key words or concepts Take a sample search statement: Ex: What are the effects of drug use by college students? What are the key ideas that you are looking for? drug use college students

Here are some other examples to get the idea of how this is done. The keywords are underlined. 1.What effect does ADHD have on learning? 2.What are the causes of child abuse? 3.I need some statistics on depression in college students. 4.What are some methods of preventing binge drinking in teenagers and college students? So, how do you use these? You use these keywords to develop your search statement.

Step 2: Developing a search statement: For searching one term/phrase such as drug use, use the term/phrase: drug use For searching multiple key concepts in a search statement such as drug use among college students, you will have to combine these terms in a search statement.

To combine these terms you need to use Boolean Operators: What are the Boolean Operators? OR: A or B = A & B & C Use for similar terms Retrieves record with any of terms entered Broadens search AND: A and B = C only Use with differing concepts Retrieves records will all terms entered Narrows a search NOT: B not A = B only Excludes a term from a search Use carefully in order to not miss useful records Check out this interactive tutorial of using Boolean Operators.Boolean Operators

Back to your search statement! What are the effects of drug use among college students? Keywords? drug use college students Search statement using Boolean? drug use AND college students

You try these! Write out the search statements using Boolean Operators 1.What effect does ADHD have on learning? 2.What are the causes of child abuse? 3.I need some statistics on depression in college students. 4.What are some methods of preventing binge drinking in teenagers and college students ?

Check what you wrote: 1.ADHD AND learning 2.child abuse AND causes 3.depression AND college students AND statistics 4.binge drinking AND prevention AND (teenagers OR college students) Note that when you have AND’s & OR’s in the same search statement, you need to put the OR group in parentheses. Now you are ready to select the appropriate database and begin your search!