Search Techniques & Using Databases Jane Long MLIS, University of Oklahoma MA, Wright State University Reference Services Librarian Al Harris Library

How do I get started?

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: green business Synonyms: environmentalism, sustainable living, social responsibility, clean energy, ecological modernization, environmental protection, environmental aspects, green movement, political ecology, recycling ethic, preservation…

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

Search Techniques: 2.Boolean Operators –Connect keywords only –Must be placed between keywords –AND Narrows your search –OR Expands your search with synonymous terms –NOT Excludes words from your search If used too much, it can work against you!

Treatment of employees by fast food restaurants First, narrow down the topic –Which restaurants are you talking about? –What kind of treatment? Good or Bad Focusing on: –Working environment & hours –Benefits & Pay –Promotion & Opportunities –How employees are treated by their peers? Manager(s)? Customer(s)?

How “AND” is used AND (narrows) –restaurant and employee –restaurant and employee and “retirement benefits”

How “OR” is used OR (expands) –restaurant or cafeteria –salary or income AND & OR together –restaurant or cafeteria and employee –salary or income and “work hours”

How “NOT” is used NOT (excludes) –cafeteria not school –income not influx AND, OR & NOT together –employee and restaurant or cafeteria not school

Search Strategy Endless possibilities… –employee OR worker AND cafeteria AND salary –employee AND restaurant AND salary OR income –waitress AND eatery AND income

Class Exercise Keyword Building Exercise Brainstorming Ideas: student, train, work (You are considering why students go to school as a beginning topic possibility.) –Your keyword choices should be synonyms

Today’s job market work learner apprentice business student train livelihoodeducation practice

Finding Articles We find articles in periodicals. This includes magazines, scholarly journals, and newspapers Many of these resources are available in print Many are available through our library databases

Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals What is the difference?

Recap: MAGAZINESMAGAZINES –Popular Info –Audience: General Public Casual Reader –Purpose: Hobby Pleasure Curiosity JOURNALS JOURNALS –Scholarly Info –Audience: Researcher Professional Who Needs to Stay Up-to-Date –Purpose: Goal-Driven –Research Paper –Certification, Tenure –Job Requirement

I need periodical sources, so databases are the right place to look!

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 publications, magazines, and newspapers. They are where most of your research will take place.

Databases 101: Differences Between Brands & Products EBSCOHost –Academic Search Complete –ERIC –Newspaper Source –CINAHL –MEDLINE Plus –SPORTDiscus Nike –Shoes for… Men Women Children Basketball Baseball/Softball Running Soccer Golf

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)

Moving Toward Evaluation Scholarly sources are concerned with academic study, especially research for individuals such as students, teachers, professors, or other professionals who need current information to stay informed about their profession or area of expertise. Many scholarly journals are peer reviewed or refereed. These articles have been subjected to a rigorous approval and editing process by other scholars in that discipline.

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

Periodicals List Exercise Is the periodical a magazine or a journal? Does the library have access to this periodical? How do you know?

The search should begin by creating an EBSCO folder. 1.Searching Techniques 2.Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals 3.Periodicals List 4.Databases 101

Article Databases

Citing Database Articles – magazine source Bernstein, Fred. "Architecture That Makes a Difference." Architectural Record Oct. 2008: Academic Search Complete. EBSCOhost. Al Harris Lib., Weatherford, OK. 27 Jan

Citing Database Articles – journal source Rozsa, Lajos. “A Psychochemical Weapon Considered by the Warsaw Pact: A Research Note.” Substance Use & Misuse 44.2(2009): Academic Search Complete. EBSCOhost. Al Harris Lib., Weatherford, OK. 27 Jan

Exercise Academic Search Complete Worksheet Topic: Use your pro/con research topic

Questions? Contact me: –Jane Long Faculty webpage:

Thank You!