We focus in this section on the use of library databases
rather than internet search engines. In an article index
you can search very specific topics and retrieve the narrow
focus that you want. You can revise your search, and save
your strategy to use in combination with other ideas.
Create a search strategy.
Put your research idea in the form of a question (or at
least a really good statement):
What is the relationship between levels of lead in the
environment and behavioral problems in children?
Select the key terms that best define your research:
My definitive terms are lead and behavioral
problems and children. But there are other terms I can use.
Try making a chart of useful terms that you can search,
revise it as you do your research.
| lead
|
behavior
problems |
children |
| lead poisoning
|
delinquency
or delinquent |
child |
| lead exposure
|
violence or violent
|
youth |
| |
aggression or aggressive |
adolescents |
| |
There are many tools for finding related terms. Databases
often contain an online thesaurus and the library has print
copies of many of these. Also, read about your topic and
collect background information. Run a search and look at
the subject headings used in a relevant article. Revise
your search.
Put your terms in a search statement:
(lead exposure or lead poisoning) and
(aggress* or violen* or delinquen*) and
(child* or youth or adolesc*)
Most databases have an advanced search feature that lets
you enter your terms, combine synonyms with or and concepts
with and . Also, notice that many of the terms in the example
have the same root word but a different ending. Most databases
will let you put in a wildcard or truncate (*) the term
to allow various endings with one root word.
Search, examine the results and revise.
Depending on the database, you may have to revise this
search and make the lead term more specific: lead levels,
lead contamination, lead exposure or lead poisoning. Question
your strategy, spelling, or database choice if you get unexpected
results! Ask someone for help! Especially a librarian.
Check the complete record of a good article and use the
subject terms for a new or revised search.
This is the basics of good search construction. It is a
technique that can be used in any database, you may need
to make a few adaptations depending on the format of the
database.
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