Advanced Searching Strategies
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Advanced Searching Strategies. Walden University Library. Introductions!. Your hosts Michelle Hajder (speaking) Lisa Raymond (chatting) QUESTIONS? Type them in the “Questions” pane. This presentation will use browser sharing
Advanced Searching Strategies
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Presentation Transcript
Advanced Searching Strategies Walden University Library
Introductions! • Your hosts • Michelle Hajder (speaking) • Lisa Raymond (chatting) • QUESTIONS? • Type them in the“Questions” pane
This presentation will use browser sharing • When sharing is enabled, this PowerPoint will be replaced with a view of my web browser • You will be able to watch me click, search, use the databases, etc. • You will not be able to interact with the browser • GoToWebinar menu buttons will remain on the left side of the page
Keyword search in context • Subject Indexes • Boolean Operators • Meta-searching • Compared to subject-specific databases • Searching Q & A
Computers…still not all that bright • Search engines have gotten better, but no online tool is anywhere near as smart as you • Computers don’t know much about context • Search engines are “literal minded” – what you put in is what you get out
Keyword searching • Keyword searching – the default almost anywhere – will look “everywhere” for your search terms, including: author names, summaries and sometimes even full text of an article (or book or website, etc.) • Keyword searching ignores context – unless we tell it otherwise…
I ♡ Subject Indexes • Sometimes a successful search is all about finding the right word or phrase to describe your topic • Subject indexes can be an invaluable tool for searching on a topic
Boolean Operators – a quick review • AND • Will only return results with both terms • Always makes a search more specific – fewer results • OR • Either term is OK, they don’t have to appear together • Always broadens your search – more results • NOT • Will not return search results that have the term listed after “NOT” • Good for narrowing searches; getting rid of results you don’t want
Metasearching • Using one tool to search many different databases • Pro: Increases the breadth of your search • Con: May decrease your ability to refine searches with accuracy
Review • Keyword search: the issue of context • Subject Headings: explore terms • Boolean operators: complex searches • Meta-searching vs. specific databases • Searching Q & A
Searching Q & A • No need to “raise hand” • We will take questions in order. It may take a minute to get to yours • Some questions will be answered aloud if they are relevant for everyone, some via chat if they require a personal answer.
ASK – A – LIBRARIAN library@waldenu.edu 800-930-0914 Thank you!