Database Searching Basics

Database Searching Basics

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  Yun Zhang ScienceLibrarian Georgia State University Library
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  What is adatabase? The databases we talk about here in the library are also called bibliographic databases, literature databases, or article databases. Other types of database? Not the scope here.
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  Why literature databases?Why not Google? Using databases is an efficient way to find quality scholarly information: Selected quality scholarly information: much information not available free Structured to help you: find wanted information filter out unwanted information
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  Literature databases vs.Google? Literature Databases Google Google Scholar Scholarly vs. non-scholarly Scholarly Mostly non-scholarly Mostly scholarly Content Coverage Human-selected quality information . Journal articles found in the databases are peer-reviewed . Machine-crawled information from websites that web spiders are allowed to go . Includes a lot of foreign language materials. Content Quality Selected quality information . Lacks quality control . Searching Features Human-created subject terms and taxonomy terms used to solve the problems of synonymy and ambiguity. Advanced ways to combine searches (AND/OR/NOT) Truncation Limit by date range Limit by document type Sort or analyze results No standardized vocabulary to facilitate subject search. Basic ways to combine search terms (+ / - /Advanced Search) Searches for variants automatically Limit by date range No way to limit by document type No way to sort or analyze results Documentation of indexing method Yes No
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  Databases are similar in terms of … Quality control of records Excellent documentation of coverage and indexing methods Multiple search options: basic search, advanced search Common index fields: citation information, abstract, subject terms, etc. Common search features: combining/limiting searches Full text linking: Personal account: save searches, set up alerts, etc.
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  Databases are different in terms of … Subject: multidisciplinary, or focused on a specific area. Date of coverage Document types: articles, some also have book chapters, proceedings, patents, technical reports, newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and audiovisual materials. Update frequency: determines if you can find the most current articles! Specific features: truncation, proximity, citation analysis, alerting, etc.
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  Database searching processSelect the appropriate database(s) Analyze your topic: break it down into concepts Brainstorm terms for each concept Search each concept separately Combine searches/concepts Review search results and revise your search strategy Keep track of your search log and save your searches Export your references to EndNote
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  Select the appropriatedatabase(s) Read database descriptions on the subject guide   Brief description under database name Click the icon or “more info” link to see more information Consult the database comparison table on the subject guide if available
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  Access Databases Usethe links provided from the GSU Library Find Articles & More : if you know the database name Start Your Research - Subject Guides : suggests which databases to use for a particular topic Off-campus? Use VPN : It enables you to use library resources as if you were on campus. No username & password trouble! Use the URLs provided from the library website: You’ll need to enter username & password .
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  Subject headings /controlled vocabulary (CV) - the most powerful tool for effective subject searching Standardized vocabulary to facilitate subject search by solving the problems of Synonymy – Several different terms may represent the same concept. Ambiguity – One term can have multiple meanings. Some databases have in-depth CV indexing (PubMed), some not (newspaper databases).
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  Combine your searchesAND means both: used to combine concepts or other criteria OR means one or the other: used to include variants, synonyms or related terms for one concept NOT: used to exclude unrelated terms. Be careful!
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  Revise your searchstrategy Too many hits? Narrow down your topic: use narrower/more specific terms Add another search concept Search by subject headings Use limiters: year range, subject, document type, major topic, etc. Too few hits? Broaden your topic: use broader terms Remove the least important/more specific search term Remove one or more limiters Pearl growing Look at the records that seem on-topic, study the subject terms assigned, and include those new terms in your search
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  General help http://www.library.gsu.edu/askalibrarian / Contact a subject specialist http://www.library.gsu.edu/contact/detailsdept.asp?action=dept&ID=15