recl 2p07 successful searching jan 2014

Successful Searching

Elizabeth YatesRecreation and Leisure Librarian

eyates@brocku.ca

Getting the good stuff

What works for you?

Today’s outcomes

You will recall:• Strategies for building a successful

search strategy• How to find books and articles in

SuperSearch• Characteristics of Google Scholar• Where to get help with writing &

citing

The Research

Path

Work from background to foreground

BACKGROUND INFO:-overview-key concepts & vocabulary

BOOKS

FOREGROUND:-very specific, timely aspects of topic

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Think like a search engine

>> keywords>>synonyms

Sample topic & keywords

How does body image affect participation in recreation?

Keyword Synonyms/related words

Body image Self esteem; appearance; body dysmorphia

Recreation Leisure; sport; play; physical activity

Pro Tip: keywords are usually the main nouns in your research question – leave descriptors such as “participation”, “benefit”, “affect” out of your search at first

Think like a search engine, PT 2

More search words = fewer results

Fewer search words = more results

Thinking Tool time!

• 3 minutes to brainstorm keywords, synonyms & search terms on your topic

Finding background inforesearchguides.library.brocku.ca/RECL

Image: 'untitled' http://www.flickr.com/photos/11797720@N00/8559607109Found on flickrcc.net

1. Background info tab-print & e-resources

2. Find books tab-SuperSearch

TIP: Start broad -- add more words as needed

Succeed with SuperSearch: books

1. Refine your results: select “books & media @ Brock” to get background info

2. Slide the Publication Date to adjust time period

3. Select “Subject” to find results focused on a specific aspect of your topic

4. Add another keyword to find results focused on a specific aspect of your topic

5. To get a book: note location in library (print books) OR click “read this online” (e-books)

Tips & tricks

1. Use “quotes” to search for an exact phrase

2. Use * to search for variations of a word ending e.g. child*(child, children, childish)

Now, we’re ready for foreground info

Finding articles on your topic

Search engines Databases

e.g. Google, Google Scholar:-broad scope-don’t know where you are searching

-few options for focused searching

e.g. SuperSearch, Leisure and Tourism-subject-specific scope-you can discover what journals are being searched-many options for focused searching e.g. by subject, age group, article type

Pro Tip: Both tools are great – choose the one that’s best for your search

Google Scholar

Antiques, by bibliojojo: flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/68509201@N08/7360308172

Succeed with Google Scholar

Research Guide for Recreation & Leisure– Library website > left nav menu “Research

Guides by Program”• researchguides.library.brocku.ca/RECL• Find Articles tab

• Google Scholar• Advanced

search (pull down tab)

TIP: Click “More” for copy & paste citation

Succeed with SuperSearch: articles

1. Refine your results: select “Scholarly (Peer Reviewed Journals”

2. Slide the Publication Date to adjust time period

3. Select “Subject” to find results focused on a specific aspect of your topic

4. Add another keyword to find results focused on a specific aspect of your topic

Pro Tips: save time

>Find a good article? -Check the subject/keywords, references and “cited by” for clues to other good articles: save time! >Scroll down: first result may not be the best

Your turn: quiz

• Sakai course site > use IE or Firefox• Tests & quizzes• Begin assessment:– Use keywords/synonyms from Thinking

Tool to find info in SuperSearch– 1. List your topic– 2. Cite one book related to your topic in

APA style– 3. Cite one journal article related to your

topic in APA style; include the article abstract

Now what?

>use the GetIt! button to retrieve articles

Help with APA style

Research Guide for Recreation & Leisure– Library website > left nav menu

“Research Guides by Program”• researchguides.library.brocku.ca/RECL

• Writing and Citing tab

Putting it all togetherGet tips on how to write an annotated bibliography

Getting Help

Chat with us from this widget @ brocku.ca/library

Text us @ 289.271.8777

Search ourQuestion &Answer Bank

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Click on the Help Tab to search

topics by Category

Contact me:eyates@brocku.ca

Or chat viaRecreation & LeisureResearch Guide

Summing up