1. Using Ebsco with results
Tuesday Tech Talks– October 17, 2017, 4:00 pm
Dr. David Cox, Skeen Library Director, SKEEN ROOM 208

2. Articles
Journals
Search Research Databases
 Keyword
Advanced Search
Ebsco
If you are on the Library Web Site, click on ARTICLE DISCOVERY You will then see the landing site for Ebsco- It should show you a box with terms such as Search Databases… Articles, Journals, Basic Search, Advanced Search, Keywords, Author, Title Lets just go to it-

3. Keywords are BIG
Now, as we begin to search, you know that Key Words are big
Every one of us who has used a Data Base search engine knows we need Key words to get started.
So, I have been working with Calculus and Retention. I am on two of those Accreditation groups that is concerned with Student Success, keeping students past the first year (Retention), the importance of Calculus…
So, lets type these two words in… and what happens most of the time is this

4. Advanced Search with Boolean Operators
These two words will be used as Key Words, with open Boolean Spaces below.
This will show: Search Results: of 10,548
I will know that I must reduce or tighten the search
Or I could read through the first page, like most of you do. Let’s tighten the search a bit.

5. Need more concepts So I type Improvement, and Grades:
My search gets more defined, and smaller: of 1,687
I will hit number 3 out of 1,687 and get something that looks pretty close to my concerns: READINESS AND ATTITUDES AS INDICATORS FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE CALCULUS.
It is about College Calculus. It is about success. I am uncertain about Retention per se, but it appears to speak about improvement and grades in using the word “Success.” Lets hit on it.

6. Here is our abstract Here is the Abstract: Abstract:
This study examined student indicators for success in entry-level college calculus. An attitude toward mathematics inventory, course performance, readiness assessment, and student interviews were used to determine characteristics and behaviors of students who succeeded in the course. In addition to student indicators, difficult topics and suggestions for improvement in the course structure were identified. While the focus of this study was on student indicators, the analyses of instructor interviews were included in order to compare their views with those of the students. The quantitative analyses showed that high school grade point average and the Calculus Readiness Assessment had positive significant correlations with course performance. The strongest positive significant correlation, however, was between attitude (Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory overall and confidence subscale) and course performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7. Hmmm not quite what I wanted…
So I use Success and Advancement with the Keywords
Search Results:  of 1, Getting a little smaller
Now, this list has some fun ones. But right there at Number 1 is something in line with my intent for searching: Increasing student retention and success: Survey results and the success of initiatives to create an engineering student community
So, we are getting closer.
Something to notice- Key Words in EBSCO use a base of synonyms.

8. One of the best things about Ebsco are the Synonyms and Cross References for Key words
This isn’t like the exact match word recall in Google.
Synonyms… with an academic search recall and predictive fields
Ebsco also has a bit of memory- if it knows who you are.
Look at all the side column material, that gets into the process.
Look at the page and let your mind go.
So I am going to use a term… STEM.
I am going to see if there is some kind of STEM Journal of Education.
And… the survey says… Look- Publications The Journal of STEM Education

9. And a smidgen better… Search Results: 1 - 20 of 1,125
Increasing student retention and success: Survey results and the success of initiatives to create an engineering student community
So, lets go for broke: Journal of STEM EDUCATION And we get Search Results: of 61

10. Now you have some time to go through the list…
Recognizing Challenges and Predicting Success in First-Generation University Students.
Corequisite Model: An Effective Strategy For Remediation In Freshmen Level Quantitative Reasoning Course
Implementing Collaborative Learning across the Engineering Curriculum.
But the one I really want– here it is: ath%5B%5D=2182&path%5B%5D=1874

11. http://www. jstem. org/index. php
Operation STEM: increasing success and improving retention among mathematically underprepared students in STEM
The process takes time, but it really does allow for clarity.

12. Enough Already!!!! Thanks for coming. Hope this was helpful.
Next week, same time, same presenters, different discussion topic.
Got any ideas from this presentation that you would like to more about?
See ya!