eywords and Basic SearchesK

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Information Literacy Competency Standards

By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to

– identify keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed

Next

Information Literacy Competency Standards

By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to

– identify keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed

– construct a search strategy using appropriate commands for the information retrieval system selected

Next

Let’s begin

Instructions: Click one of the tutorial buttons to begin the lesson. Click next to advance through the tutorial. The next option will not appear if you are asked to click on a button within the tutorial.

When you have completed both tutorials, click on the final assignment button.

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Developing Keywords

Search Strategies

Final Assignment

Let’s begin

Instructions: Click one of the tutorial buttons to begin the lesson. Click next to advance through the tutorial. The next option will not appear if you are asked to click on a button within the tutorial.

When you have completed both tutorials, click on the final assignment button

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Developing Keywords

Search Strategies

Final Assignment

Image Sources

Developing Keywords

Using the right keywords to find information onyour topic is very important.

The wrong combination of keywords can lead to very few hits.

It is important to try many different words or phrases.

But how do we come up with keywords?

Let’s do an activity!

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Does this object have more than one name?

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Does this object have more than one name?

Some people may call it a coat while others might call it a jacket. In fact, it can be called by many names .

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Does this object have more than one name?

Some people may call it a coat while others might call it a jacket. In fact, it can be called by many names .

tunic parka outerwear anorak overcoat windbreaker

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It is important to remember when you think of keywords for your topic that many different words or phrases can be used for one idea or object.

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It is important to remember when you think of keywords for your topic that many different words or phrases can be used for one idea or object.

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It is important to remember when you think of keywords for your topic that many different words or phrases can be used for one idea or object.

How about this?

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It is important to remember when you think of keywords for your topic that many different words or phrases can be used for one idea or object.

How about this?

Depending on how you use it, it can be called a lawn or a yard.

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It is important to remember when you think of keywords for your topic that many different words or phrases can be used for one idea or object.

How about this?

Depending on how you use it, it can be called a lawn or a yard.

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In another country, this might even be called a garden.

It is important to remember when you think of keywords for your topic that many different words or phrases can be used for one idea or object.

How about this?

Depending on how you use it, it can be called a lawn or a yard.

Remember that different keywords can be used depending on the activity or context. We mow a lawn, but we sit or play in the yard.

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In another country, this might even be called a garden.

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Both of these objects have many names that are synonymous and comparable to each other.

Before you start to search, try to think of other words or phrases that could be used to describe your topic. Let’s Practice!

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Both of these objects have many names that are synonymous and comparable to each other.

Topic description

My topic focuses on adolescents.

Which set of comparable and synonymous terms could you use to help generate the best search results on adolescents?

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kids mature

child

teenageryoung adult pubescent

YES!

The words teenager, young adult, and pubescent will give you best results when looking for additional information on adolescents.

While some adolescents can be described as kids, mature, or a child, these words will not give you the best search results for adolescents as a whole.

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That’s incorrect.

While some adolescents can be described as kids, mature, or a child, these words will not give you the best search results for adolescents as a whole.

The words teenager, young adult, andpubescent will give you best results when looking for additional information on adolescents.

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What are the first words that you think of when you see these?

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What are the first words that you think of when you see these?

Most people call the first image jello and second a band-aid. Are those the actual names for these items?

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What are the first words that you think of when you see these?

gelatin

adhesive bandage

Most people call the first image jello and second a band-aid. Are those the actual names for these items?

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Remember to include the technical terms for ideas and items when you are thinking of keywords. Depending on the writer, they may use the non-technical term, so make sure to consider both in your search.

What are the first words that you think of when you see these?

gelatin

adhesive bandage

Most people call the first image jello and second a band-aid. Are those the actual names for these items?

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What about other words that aren’t synonymous or comparable?

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What about other words that aren’t synonymous or comparable?

You can also use words that are associative to help you find good search terms for your topic.

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For example, If your research topic deals with literacy, some synonymous or comparable words might be reading or comprehension.

Some words you might associate with literacy could be books or literature.

While those two words are neither synonymous nor comparable, they can be used to help you refine and narrow your search results.

What about other words that aren’t synonymous or comparable?

You can also use words that are associative to help you find good search terms for your topic.

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Use a thesaurus to help you find synonymous words.

Try online visual resources to help you see the relationships between words.

snappy wordsvisual thesaurus

Click on one of the links and try typing in a word.

Create a concept map to organize related ideas within your topic.

A few more tips for keywords

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Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topics

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Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topicsTopic: Ways to improve adolescent literacy.

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Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topicsTopic: Ways to improve adolescent literacy.

If you break down the topic into a few key terms you can then use a concept map to come up with other words to use.

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Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topicsTopic: Ways to improve adolescent literacy.

If you break down the topic into a few key terms you can then use a concept map to come up with other words to use.

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Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topicsTopic: Ways to improve adolescent literacy.

If you break down the topic into a few key terms you can then use a concept map to come up with other words to use.

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teenteenagerjuvenilepubescentyoung adulthigh schoolmiddle schoolpre-teen

Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topicsTopic: Ways to improve adolescent literacy.

If you break down the topic into a few key terms you can then use a concept map to come up with other words to use.

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teenteenagerjuvenilepubescentyoung adulthigh schoolmiddle schoolpre-teen

reading comprehension proficiency fluencyvocabulary coherencecritical thinking grammar syntax

Concept Maps are great visual organizers for topicsTopic: Ways to improve adolescent literacy.

If you break down the topic into a few key terms you can then use a concept map to come up with other words to use.

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teenteenagerjuvenilepubescentyoung adulthigh schoolmiddle schoolpre-teen

reading comprehension proficiency fluencyvocabulary coherencecritical thinking grammar syntax

programs interventions education remediation method

Tutorial Completion

You have completed the Developing Keywords tutorial. Go to the main menu to complete the Search Strategies tutorial.

If you have completed both tutorials, go to the main menu to access the final assignment.

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Search strategies

When you have good keywords to help you find information on your topic, it is important to understand how to search with those keywords in a catalog or discovery tool.

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Search strategies

When you have good keywords to help you find information on your topic, it is important to understand how to search with those keywords in a catalog or discovery tool.

This tutorial will show you how to use Boolean operators and truncation.

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What is a Boolean operator?

Boolean operators are commands that most databases use to enable users to search for

multiple concepts that form a complex topic.

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What is a Boolean operator?

Boolean operators are commands that most databases use to enable users to search for

multiple concepts that form a complex topic.

When you put a Boolean operator into a database, the computer realizes that it is being asked to do something.

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What is a Boolean operator?

Boolean operators are commands that most databases use to enable users to search for multiple concepts that form a complex topic.

When you put a Boolean operator into a database, the computer realizes that it is being asked to do something.

There are three common Boolean operators: AND, OR, and NOT.

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Understanding Boolean Operators

There are many ways you can think about using Boolean operators.

We will explore learning Boolean operators using words and pictures.

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Boolean Operators

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The most common Boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT.

AND links keywords and narrows a topic search for results to include both keywords.

Example: Prisoners AND War -This will find results that contain information only containing both keywords.

Boolean Operators

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AND narrows the topic while OR broadens the search to include one or both terms.

Example: death row OR death penalty- This will find results that use either of the keywords entered or both of the keywords.

Boolean Operators

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AND narrows the topic while OR broadens the search to include one or both terms.

Example: death row OR death penalty. This will find results that use either of the keywords entered or both of the keywords.

If you entered death row AND death penalty, your results would be limited to fewer results with both words present.

Boolean Operators

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NOT excludes results with specific keywords.

Example: Jazz NOT blues. This will find results with information only about Jazz.

Anything that contains blues will be excluded.

Boolean Operators

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NOT excludes results with specific keywords.

Example: Jazz NOT blues. This will find results with information only about Jazz.

Anything that contains blues will be excluded.

Be aware that using NOT may exclude relevant results.

Boolean Operators

Use parenthesis ( ) when searches are complex.

Example: pollination AND (flowers OR plants) AND (bees OR insects)

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Boolean OperatorsUse parenthesis ( ) when searches are complex.

Example: pollination AND (flowers OR plants) AND (bees OR insects)

Similar to math, what is in parenthesis will be recognized first.

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Using clothing can be a good way to visualize using Boolean operators.

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Using clothing can be a good way to visualize using Boolean operators.

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Here are four people wearing various outfits.

Using clothing can be a good way to visualize using Boolean operators.

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Here are four people wearing various outfits.

By using AND, OR, or, NOT, we can determine which accessories we want to use to find results.

Understanding Boolean Operators

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Jacket AND glasses

Understanding Boolean Operators

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Jacket AND glasses

Understanding Boolean Operators

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Jacket OR glasses

Understanding Boolean Operators

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Jacket OR glasses

Understanding Boolean Operators

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jacket NOT belt

Understanding Boolean Operators

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jacket NOT belt

Understanding Boolean Operators

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(jacket OR glasses) NOT belt

Understanding Boolean Operators

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(jacket OR glasses) NOT belt

Boolean Question

If you need to search for information that covers glaucoma in diabetics, how would you construct your search?

glaucoma OR diabetes

(glaucoma OR diabetes)

glaucoma AND diabetes

glaucoma NOT diabetes

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YES!

Glaucoma AND diabetes will give you results that include both key words.

Glaucoma OR diabetes will give you too many results that include results with both terms or one term.

Glaucoma NOT diabetes will exclude results including diabetes.

Parenthesis are not needed in simple searches.

Next Question

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That’s incorrect.

Glaucoma AND diabetes will give you results that include both key words. This is the right answer.

Glaucoma OR diabetes will give you too many results that include results with both terms or one term.

Glaucoma NOT diabetes will exclude results including diabetes.

Parenthesis are not needed in simple searches.

Next Question

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Boolean question

If you need to search for information on the pollution of bodies of water other than oceans, how would you construct your search?

pollution AND (lakes OR streams OR rivers) NOT oceans

pollution OR (lakes AND streams AND rivers NOT oceans)

pollution AND lakes AND streams AND rivers (NOT oceans)

pollution NOT oceans AND (lakes, streams, rivers)

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YES!

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Pollution AND (lakes OR streams OR rivers) NOT oceans is the correct answer! Using OR in the parenthesis allows for information with pollution and any of the bodies of water in parenthesis. NOT excludes articles with ocean pollution.

Pollution OR (lakes AND streams AND rivers NOT oceans) is not correct because we need pollution in our search. Using OR would include results that did not contain pollution.

Pollution AND lakes AND streams AND rivers (NOT oceans) is too narrow of a search. All of the information would have to include the three bodies of water. Using this search may take exclude information containing one or two of the bodies of water.

NOT must come last in a search, and using commas is not correct. Therefore, pollution NOT oceans AND (lakes, streams, rivers) is incorrect.

That’s incorrect.Pollution AND (lakes OR streams OR rivers) NOT oceans is the correct answer. Using OR in the parenthesis allows for information with pollution and any of the bodies of water in parenthesis. NOT excludes articles with ocean pollution.

Pollution OR (lakes AND streams AND rivers NOT oceans) is not correct because we need pollution in our search. Using OR would include results that did not contain pollution.

Pollution AND lakes AND streams AND rivers (NOT oceans) is too narrow of a search. All of the information would have to include the three bodies of water. Using this search may take exclude information containing one or two of the bodies of water.

NOT must come last in a search, and using commas is not correct. Therefore, pollution NOT oceans AND (lakes, streams, rivers) is incorrect.

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Truncation

Truncation is another strategy that is helpful to know during searches. Truncation is used in searching to increase search results.

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Truncation

Truncation is another strategy that is helpful to know during searches. Truncation is used in searching to increase search results.

If you place an asterisk * beside a root word, you will get search results that include the derived words from the root.

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Truncation Truncation is another strategy that is helpful to know during searches. Truncation is used in searching to increase search results.

If you place an asterisk * beside a root word, you will get search results that include the derived words from the root.

For example, if you enter effect* into your search, you will get results on information with the words effect, effective, and effects.

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Truncation Truncation is another strategy that is helpful to know during searches. Truncation is used in searching to increase search results.

If you place an asterisk * beside a root word, you will get search results that include the derived words from the root.

For example, if you enter effect* into your search, you will get results on information with the words effect, effective, and effects.

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universi*universityuniversities

lesgisla*legislatelegislatorlegislation etc.

music*musicalmusicianmusiciansetc.

Truncation Truncation is another strategy that is helpful to know during searches. Truncation is used in searching to increase search results.

If you place an asterisk * beside a root word, you will get search results that include the derived words from the root.

For example, if you enter effect* into your search, you will get results on information with the words effect, effective, and effects.

Note: Most modern search tools use the asterisk. Older tools may use a different symbol. Check with your librarian to be sure.

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universi*universityuniversities

lesgisla*legislatelegislatorlegislation etc.

music*musicalmusicianmusiciansetc.

Tutorial Completion

You have completed the Search Strategiestutorial. Go to the main menu to complete the Developing Keywords tutorial.

If you have completed both tutorials, go to the main menu to access the final assignment.

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Image Sources• jacket - http://www.rei.com/product/795592/patagonia-

torrentshell-jacket-womens

• lawn- http://metsatahti.info/lawn-s/

• gelatin-http://www.freewebs.com/techassignment/Jello.htm

• bandage-http://www.zeitnews.org/images/stories/storypics/Biotechnology/bandage2.jpg

• clothing- http://madewell.com

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