INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE "SUPER SEARCHING"

Two critical online sources of information for your class work are:

• the Purdue Libraries' catalog, and
• the article databases available to Purdue students

When you are searching an online database via computer, remember you are the only intelligent entity present.

Therefore, to produce a successful search, you must know how to:

• choose the correct type of database (catalog or article) to search (Module 1)
• determine the type of search to use - keyword, field or subject (Module 2)
• develop keyword searches using Boolean operators (and, or, not) (Module 3)
• limit your search to specific fields of an item record or citation (Module 4)
• pinpoint your search results using subject searching (Module 5)

HOW TO BE A "SUPER-SEARCHER"

MODULE 1 - WHERE TO SEARCH

Objectives - On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• identify the contents of two types of databases - a library catalog and an article (or bibliographic) database;
• choose when it is appropriate to search a library catalog or an article database.

MODULE 2 - SEARCH BASICS

Objectives - On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• recognize an item record and its standard fields as the basic component of library catalogs and article databases
• recognize the basic search methods - field searching (author, title, source, etc.), keyword (free text), and subject (controlled vocabulary);
• choose the most effective search method based on his/her information needs

MODULE 3 - KEYWORD SEARCHING using Boolean Operators

Objectives - On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• develop a search statement using keywords and synonyms;
• identify the fields searched by keywords;
• apply Boolean operators to keyword searching

MODULE 4 - FIELD SEARCHING

Objectives - On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• identify the major advantage of field searching
• recognize that exact information is necessary to search specific fields
• develop a field search using specific information

MODULE 5 - SUBJECT SEARCHING (Controlled Vocabulary Searching)

Objectives - On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• define the term 'subject or controlled vocabulary' search
• distinguish between a keyword and a subject search
• name two standardized systems of subject headings
• identify two databases relevant to veterinary medicine that use a controlled vocabulary