WR227 Instructional Session
This instructional session is designed to help you feel better prepared to complete your formal report for WR227. Upon completion of this session, you will:
- Construct an effective keyword search.
- Identify ways to get help when you have questions.
- Search...with librarian support!
1. Construct an effective keyword search.
Protip: If you search only one concept at a time, you'll get way too many results, but combining more than four concepts in one search can narrow your results to 0.
Protip: Avoid using relationship words like pro, con, best practice, negative, positive, impact, effect, affect, etc.
Based on what we just discussed, what keywords would you use to start searching? Click here to add your response.
Protip: Avoid using relationship words like pro, con, best practice, negative, positive, impact, effect, affect, etc.
Based on what we just discussed, what keywords would you use to start searching? Click here to add your response.
But how do you combine those concepts in a library database? Use advanced search techniques, of course!
Boolean operators: Limit your results using AND, expand your results using OR, eliminate unnecessary results using NOT
Protip: make sure to use all caps when using Boolean operators.
example: (food OR meal OR nutrition) AND public school NOT elementary
Phrase Searching: If you want your keywords to appear in a specific order, like a phrase, try using quotation marks ""
example: "public school*"
Title Searches: Too many results? Using the drop-down menu next to the search bar, limit your search keywords to only appearing in article titles.
2. Identify ways to get help when you have questions.
I know that there's a lot of information here, and you might still have questions, even after this session. That's what librarians are for! You can always contact me, but there are also several other options for you to contact any Barber Library librarian.
Just look for this icon or go directly to the Need Help? page under Quick Links and you'll be connected to someone who can help you come up with keywords, cite your sources, choose databases, and help with your general library needs! |
3. Search...with librarian support!
To get started, go to the library homepage and choose the Research Icon that fits your need (Books, Movies & More; Articles & More; Encyclopedias & More; Images, Film and Audio; or Resources by Subject). Here are a few places to get you started:
- Academic Search Premier...for a mix of newspaper, magazine, and journal articles from across many disciplines--a good place to start!
- CQ Researcher or Opposing Viewpoints in Context...for opinions, pro/con perspectives, and links to other resources for a variety of recent event topics
- Resources by Subject--choose a discpline relevant to your topic...to give you some other subject-specific suggestions