5.4: Searching for scholarly sources
- Page ID
- 298419
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Refresher: What is iterative searching?
An iterative process if one that repeats itself. Iteration is the repetition of a process in order to generate multiple outcomes. Each repetition of the process is a single iteration. When researching, each unique search is an iteration.
You were first introduced to the idea of iterative searching in Chapter 2.
Iterative searching is a process of continuous improvement that involves searching, reflecting, making choices and revisions, and searching again. The goal of iterative searching is to improve the relevancy of your search results in each iteration, and to learn along the way what strategies work best for you.
Why be iterative?
- Because you are learning. Working iteratively offers you opportunities to learn and reflect.
- Because doing something once doesn't necessarily mean you've done it as well as you could. With continued effort, you will make choices and changes depending on which strategies you identify as useful, and you'll do even better.
- Because the database you're using has tools to help you find better information. Without searching iteratively, you won't be able to take advantage of these tools.
Searching is complex in scholarly databases. In addition to being iterative, the most effective searches utilize keywords, quotation marks, and refining and limiting tools.
Trying and experimenting is a core part of your assignment this week - trying, revising, changing, and editing as you learn how to search iteratively and database refining and limiting tools.
Why should I search in multiple databases for scholarly articles (or any content)?
Think about buying shoes. You might choose to visit mall with multiple stores, do a general internet search, or visit a brand website directly. The same approaches can be applied to looking for scholarly articles. You can search through the library catalog (OneSearch), use Google Scholar, or go to a specific database.
If you're not sure what kind of shoe you need, or you need multiple pairs, going to a mall or doing an internet search will give you a lot of options. If you know you need soccer cleats you might limit your search to the Adidas website or a local sporting goods store.
Searching in EBSCO's Academic Search Premier
Consider how you will use the Academic Search Premier search interface to combine keywords, or search in specific fields. You can also choose to limit to Full Text or Peer Reviewed at the beginning or wait until you see the initial results list and filter then.
Once the search results are returned you will see the filters applied at the top, along with the Boolean phrase for what you searched. Your searched words will be highlighted or bolded in the record. If you want to add more filters (to narrow your results), click on All filters in the top left of the screen and the full filter menu will pop-up on the right.
Searching in ProQuest's Research Library
Research Library is another general database covering multiple subjects. The Database A-Z link to Research Library will take you to the Advanced Search interface. If you want to go to the Basic Search, there is a link in the top left corner.
Although this page looks different from Academic Search Premier, you can see the elements are basically the same. Text boxes for your search terms, Field drop-downs (Anywhere), the option to limit to Full Text or Peer Reviewed.
The search results page has more tools visible by default. The filters are visible on the left side of the page, while the right side shows results in different formats from the ProQuest eBook and video databases Big Bend subscribes to.
