Module 3: Searching
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University of Idaho
Information Literacy Portal
UI Core Curriculum |
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3.0 Objectives
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Module 3: Searching
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Module 3: Searching
Objectives:
- Distinguish a database from other types of information
collections
- Identify the coverage of a database
- Understand the concept of field, or advanced searching in a
database
- Construct effective search queries using logical operators and
related strategies
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3.1 Databases
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data·base
noun 1. A collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search
and retrieval.
--The American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
This quality of being " ... arranged for ease and speed of search and
retrieval" is what distinguishes a database from a computer network like
the Internet, which has no standardized organization principle.
Databases may sometimes be accessed through the Internet, but their
contents are not retrieved by search engine services like Google
or Yahoo! Most are available through separate Web sites that
charge a fee for use, normally paid by libraries on behalf of their
users. |
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3.2 Database Coverage
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Every database contains only certain types and amounts of
information, a characteristic called coverage. This information can
typically be found in the database itself under links such as "About
[name of database]," "Database information," "Title list," or "Sources,"
etc. Web-based databases are typically accessed from a link that is
annotated with some information about coverage. Databases published in
paper form normally locate this information in the front of each volume
or in an introduction. Consider the following elements of database
coverage:
Elements |
Example |
What kinds of documents?
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Journals, magazines, books, book chapters, dissertations, audio
files, statistical tables, images, Web pages, software applications? |
Which disciplines? |
Sociology, music, chemistry, all, none? |
What time periods? |
The current year? 1960-1998? How often is the database updated?
Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, annually? |
What languages? |
English only? Other languages? |
Which publication types? |
Scholarly? Popular? Trade? All three? Others? |
What is included in the record? |
A whole article or chapter (full-text) or just a brief description
(bibliographic citation and abstract)? Publisher and title? |
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3.3 Database Exercise
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Database Self-Quiz |
Instructions:
Review the database descriptions at the bottom of this page and then
select the appropriate database for each of the two research topics
described. |
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a. ProQuest Research Library |
b. MLA International Bibliography
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c. LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe
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Scholarly and general interest sources in business, news, medicine, humanities, social sciences, and science and technology. |
Books and articles on the modern languages and literatures.Online
version contains bibliographic records pertaining to literature,
language, linguistics, and folklore, and includes coverage
from 1963 to the present. |
Extensive array of full-text news (newspapers, wire services,
transcripts and newsletters), business literature, industry
and company information, legal, biographical, and reference
resources. |
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3.4 Records and Fields
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Records the building blocks
of databases, records describe information sources.
It is unrealistic, at
this time, to expect all information sources to come directly to
a computer screen on demand. The reasons for this will be
clearer to you as you become more experienced finding and using
information. In the meantime, having a record describing a
source that you can then find using your own abilities and
knowledge is an excellent starting point. The description in a
record uses elements called metadata [information about
information]. In many cases, the text itself will have to be
located using other finding tools. Some libraries provide links
to the text of articles, when available, at their own expense. |
Fields the building blocks of
records; these are the sections of a record where information is
stored.
For example, your driver's license or ID card is a record about
you with fields describing your name, eye color, height, address,
and so on. Field names can vary, but in library databases author,
title, subject, publisher, and publication date are common. |
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3.5 Field Searching
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Most search engines and databases search "words anywhere" or
"keywords" automatically unless you select another type of search.
Keyword searching finds matches for your terms in any field of a record
or any part of a Web page, so you will typically retrieve more
information with less precision. This is known as "recall" searching
because it focuses on recalling as much information as possible.
Databases and search engines may allow searching in specific fields
such as author, title, url (Web address), or subject and will sometimes
refer to this as "advanced," or "expert" searching. These searches will
typically retrieve less information with more precision. This is called
"precision" searching because it focuses on finding only precisely what
you need.
For example:
RED + BLUE + GREEN |
Tie=RED, Shirt=BLUE, Beret=GREEN |
If you are a detective and the only clues you have for a missing
persons case are the words "red," "blue,"
and "green," these people could be a
match. This is keyword searching.
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If instead you knew your person had a red tie, blue shirt, and a
green beret, you have a better chance of finding the right person.
This is field searching.
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recall v. precision | keyword v.
field
We recommend recall/keyword searching when you are doing either a
large original research project or are looking for a rare or unique
term (e.g. rapper and musical artist Eminem). Recall allows you to find anything remotely
related to a topic. Doctoral students and professional researchers
typically perform these searches early in their research in order to
identify everything already published about their focus area.
Recall/keyword searching can also be an effective strategy for
identifying subject terms from a few relevant records to prepare for
a subject field search later.
We recommend precision/field searching when you need to find a
relatively small number of sources on a specific topic. Precision
searching is most useful for smaller projects like course term
papers, problem-solving activities, and making consumer choices.
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3.6 Creating a Search Query
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Phrases | logical operators | truncation | wild cards | nesting
Most databases don't understand the natural language we speak and
need help understanding what we're looking for. For this, they require a
special set of conventions, including:
Conventions |
Description |
Quotation marks |
Around exact phrases (e.g. "university of washington") |
Logical or Boolean operators |
Connecting words that narrow or broaden a search to include only
what you need. Examples: OR, AND, NOT |
Wildcards and truncation symbols
(* # ? !) |
For terms that have variant forms of spelling or different possible
endings. Examples: child* for child, children, childhood,
childish, etc. |
Nesting |
Placing terms in parentheses to indicate separate units. (Like an
equation, (A or B) not C |
Databases and search engines apply these rules differently, so check
HELP files to find out how to use them.
Click on the links below for a demonstration of each strategy. Select
either an animated flash or a static image.
They all pop-up in new windows.
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3.7 Your Search Strategy
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Here are some tips if you found too much information, too little
information, or the wrong information in your search.
Too Much Information
- Try looking at an irrelevant record your search retrieved.
Can you figure out why the database gave it to you? Did you use one
word that the computer misunderstood? See if you can use a more
specific term or maybe a short phrase that excludes the meaning you
don't want. Try adding a new term which makes your old term more
specific.
Instead of Japan and economy
Try Japan and economy
and (auto or automobile or car)
- Check where in the record your search terms matched.
The best
matches for topics are in fields like Subject or Title . Look for an
Advanced or Expert Search option in the database to search in
specific fields only, if you can.
- Use limiters when they're available.
Will the database let you
ask for publications only in English? Can you ask for only journal
articles? Want more recent information? Is there a subject heading
that covers your topic? Can you get rid of book and film reviews?
Play around with your options and see if they help. Try using the
operator NOT.
Examples |
(Iran and Iraq) |
not |
war |
Hussein |
not |
Saddam |
Clinton |
not |
Lewinsky |
+Jazz -Utah |
Too Little Information
- Did you spell your search terms correctly?
Research databases
are remarkable tools, but they don't come equipped with spell
checkers. One misspelled word can sink an entire search. Check a
dictionary.
- Get rid of long phrases.
When you type in a phrase, all the
words must appear in exactly that order before the database will
give you anything. Some databases automatically put the operator AND
between the words you type, turning your phrase into a long Boolean
search string.
Instead of discrimination
against ethnic Chinese in Vietnam
Try discrimination and
ethnic Chinese and Vietnam
- Try using alternative terms.
That's what you gathered all the
extra vocabulary for. Don't forget truncation or wildcards for
variant forms of a word.
- Try to come up with broader terms for the idea you need.
Every so often, it happens that there's very little written on a
specific topic, but a lot on the general area.
Examples |
Very Narrow |
recombinant DNA and sheep |
Narrow |
cloning and animals |
Broader |
genetic engineering and animal* |
Very Broad |
genetic* and animal* |
The Wrong Information
- Check the coverage of the databases you're using. Do they cover
the kinds of material you need? The right discipline(s)? The right
kinds of documents? The right dates?
- Try looking up databases by subject. Click on
Find Articles,
then use the drop down menu to choose a broad subject area. Click on
the INFO button for each database to see its coverage.
- Try using the
Journal List (Serials solution) link. You have to
know what general field your subject falls under (Social and
Behavioral Sciences? Business and Economics? Fine Arts and Music?)
Try a few of these and see where you can find your subject. Then try
using some of the databases you find linked there.
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