Search Strategies An Introduction Developed by C.A.Gavin CSU, Bakersfield, 2008

Types of Search Strategies: Keyword Phrase Boolean Subject Headings

Boolean Searching 1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic statement into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept

Write a Clear Statement Phrase: advertisements cause eating disorders Question: Are advertisements to blame for eating disorders? Thesis: Advertisements are partially responsible for eating disorders. Topic: Eating Disorders

2. Divide topic into concepts Are advertisements to blame for eating disorders? advertisements AND eating disorders

1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept Boolean Searching

3. Select words to express concept. Are advertisements to blame for eating disorders? AND advertisements OR marketing eating disorders OR bulima OR anorexia

1. Write a Clear Statement of Topic Topic: racial inequality Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace?

2. Select words to Express Concepts Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? AND racial AND inequality workplace

3. Select words to Express Concept AND workplace OR employment OR jobs discrimination AND race OR ethnic OR minority Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? inequality OR

Relevant Article At the doorstep to employment: Discrimination against immigrants as a function of applicant ethnicity, job type, and raters' prejudice. Krings, Franciska. International Journal of Psychology. Dec 2007, Vol. 42 Issue 6, p , Abstract: This study examined the impact of applicant ethnicity, job type, and prejudice on evaluation biases and intentions to interview in an experimental simulation. We suggest that bias and discrimination are more likely when foreign applicants who belong to disliked ethnic groups apply for jobs that require high interpersonal skills, and when raters are prejudiced against immigrants.

Write a Topic Statement What types of treatment are available to teens who have attempted suicide?

Divide Statement into Concepts What types of treatment are available to teens who have attempted suicide? AND treatmentteens suicide

Select words to Express Concept What types of treatment are available to teens who have attempted suicide? AND treatment OR therapy OR psychotherapy OR counseling teens OR young adults OR adolescents suicide OR self-murder OR self-destruct

Relevant Article Citation TITLE: Principles of therapy: applications to suicide and trauma in adolescents. PERSONAL AUTHOR: Leenaars, Andrew SOURCE: Journal of Death Studies, v. 22 no.4 June 2007 p ABSTRACT: The writers discuss the basic guiding principles of therapy and its applications to suicide and trauma in adolescents. They contend that these principles are heuristic and that there is no set formula for dealing with traumatic events such as suicide.

Synonyms/Closely Related Words Hispanics: Latinos, Latinas, Mexican-Americans Blacks: African-Americans teens: adolescents, high school students rap: gangsta, hip-hop, ______________________________________________ Identify synonyms or closely related words for the following: little kids: gays: spouse: murder: old people:

Synonyms/Closely Related Words Answer Key Identify synonyms or closely related words for the following: little kids: toddlers, preschoolers, infants, newborns gays: homosexuals, lesbians, same sex spouse: wife, husband murder: homicide, kill old people: aged, elderly, senior citizens

Truncation Where should we truncate? If we cut off too much of a word, we may retrieve other words that have nothing to do with our subject. Example: ag * retrieves any word in the database that begins with “ag” such as: age, against, agenda, aggression However...

Truncation Where should we truncate? If we don’t cut off enough, we may miss some forms of our word. Example: agriculture * This truncated form will miss these forms of the word: agricultural, agriculturally, agriculturalist

Truncation: Test Yourself Example: alcohol * includes: alcohol, alcoholic, alcoholics, alcoholism _______________________________________________ Test yourself. Place the * to indicate proper truncation: addiction: criminal: advertising: disability:

Truncation Answer Key addiction: addict* includes: addict, addicts, addicting, addicted criminal: crim* includes: crime, crimes, criminal, criminals, criminalize advertising: advertis* includes: advertise, advertises, advertised, advertising disability: disab* includes: disable, disabled, disables, disabling

Boolean Searching Summary 1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic statement into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept 4. Truncate appropriate words

Sample Boolean Searches The following slides demonstrate how to apply Boolean searches to the Academic Search Elite database.

Boolean Search Statement Are advertisements to blame for eating disorders? AND advertisements OR marketing eating disorders OR bulima OR anorexia

Sample search in Academic Search Elite

Article Retrieved in Academic Search Elite Article Citation

Boolean Search Statement AND workplace OR employment OR jobs discrimination AND race OR ethnic OR minority Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? inequality OR

Sample search in Academic Search Elite

Article Retrieved in Academic Search Elite Article citation

Now you try it. Enter a Boolean search strategy in Academic Search Elite. To access this database: Go to the Library’s home pageLibrary’s home page Click on “Research Databases” Scroll to Academic Search Elite