Download - Database Search Strategy
SEARCHING
Databases PsycINFO Science Citation Index - Web of Knowledge
Literature Search
SEARCHING
PRINCIPLES OF DATABASE SEARCHING
http://www.hw.ac.uk/library/LifeSciences/lsinfoskills.htm#Advanced
PRACTICAL SESSION (OWN TIME)
SEARCHING
What is a bibliographic database?
How do you go about searching a database?
Building a search strategy Iterative approach
ELECTRONIC FILING CABINET
DATABASE
RECORDS
RECORD
Journal article Book Book chapter
SCOPE & COVERAGE
Every database has a different subject SCOPE & COVERAGE
Some specialise in one subject area eg PSYCINFO
Some are MULTIDISCIPLINARY eg
Web of Science
FIND RELEVANT SOURCES Library Website > Databases page
http://www1.hw.ac.uk/library/electresa2z.php How to Find Out Guide for Applied
Psychology http://www.hw.ac.uk/library/LifeSciences/lspsychol.htm
PsycINFO via Ovid Online
Subject Coverage: Sports science , psychology, social sciencesType: Bibliographic databaseFormat: NetworkedOn-Campus Access: ip Address (click on Connect)Off-Campus Access: ATHENS USERNAME AND PASSWORD REQUIRED[ Connect ] [ Information ]
HOW DO YOU SEARCH A DATABASE?
Clear research/essay question Identify key CONCEPTS Identify KEYWORDS Broad and narrow terms Synonyms and alternative terms Alternative spellings/plurals AND, OR, NOT (combining) Applying limits
SEARCH STRATEGY
RESEARCH QUESTION
Define the question you are asking - eg “Discuss the role of clinical psychology in recovery
from depression after stroke.”
Identify main CONCEPTS
Identify KEYWORDS
KEYWORDS
DEPRESSION / CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY / STROKE
Related to the main CONCEPTS
Provide SEARCH TERMS to use in the literature search
IMPORTANCE OF KEYWORDS
Wrong keywords = wrong information
Too narrow = not enough information
Too broad = too much information
BROAD/NARROW KEYWORDS
Distinguish broad and narrow terms – eg
BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS / DEPRESSION / CLINICAL DEPRESSION
Narrow terms fit inside broad termsBehavioural symptom
DepressionClinical Depression
Post-natal depression
ALTERNATIVE TERMS / WORD ROOTS / PLURALS
Alternative / related termsStroke Cerebrovascular Accident / CVA / Apoplexy
American spellings
Behaviour Behavior Plurals
Stroke/s Behaviour/s Word roots
Behav$ iour, iours, ioural,
STRATEGY MAP
Good idea to note main CONCEPTS
with ALL KEYWORDS for each concept
STRATEGY MAP
STROKE
CerebrovascularAccident
CVAApoplexyStrokesCVAs
Narrower TermBrain Infarction
Broader TermBrain Diseases
CLINICALPSYCHOLOGY
Clinical Psychologist/s
Narrower TermClinical Neuropsychology
Broader TermPsychology
DEPRESSION
Depressive –State/s
Symptom/s
Narrower TermClinical Depression
Broader TermBehavioural Symptoms
BUILDING BLOCK TECHNIQUE
Search for each concept
Combine concepts
AND, OR, NOT
AND, OR, NOT
AND INTERSECTION
OR OR OR UNION
NOT NOT EXCLUDING
SET 1= STROKE SET 2= DEPRESSION
STRATEGY MAP
Stroke/sOR
CerebrovascularAccidents
ORCVA/s
ORApoplexy
Clinical Psychology
ORClinical
Psychologist/s
DepressionOR
DepressiveState/s
ORDepressiveSymptom/s
AND AND
STROKE CLINCAL PSYCHOLOGY DEPRESSION
APPLYING LIMITS
Date ranges Publication type Language
ITERATIVE APPROACH
Seldom right first time
Expect to Re-work Modify Try again
Modify each set of results until you find what you’re looking for
Very seldom you get exactly what you want first time!
SEARCH RESULTS
A SET of records of published items
RECORDS - ALWAYS give BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS MOST OFTEN also give an ABSTRACT SOMETIMES also link to FULL-TEXT electronic
documents
RECORD
SEARCH RESULTS
IT IS POSSIBLE TO –
PRINT, EMAIL, SAVE RECORDS
SAVE SEARCH STRATEGIES FOR RE- USE
LOCATING FULL-TEXT
Link to full-text on-screen from within database record (where available)
Use library CATALOGUE to see if we have the item in print copy
Use library A-Z list of electronic journals to see if we offer electronic access
Search other library catalogues (via HWUL webpages)
Request item/s on Inter-Library Loan
CONTACT DETAILS
Marion Kennedy
Subject Librarian (Chemistry & Life Sciences)
t: 3583
Enquiry desk: Tuesdays 1-5pm