L SC-311-02: Information Literacy
Class notes
Day 7, September 14, 1998

9 General Rules of Thumb

All databases have limitations

• Subject coverage
• Dates covered
• Type of publications included

Each record in an electronic database

• represents one thing
• always includes the citation
• may include an abstract or even full text

Almost all databases have HELP information

• Look around the screen for how to get to help
• You can also try:
  Typing the word help
  Pushing the F1 key
  Typing a question mark ?

Know when to search by keyword and when to search by controlled vocabulary

• Keyword
  Searches the database for an exact match of the word/phrase ANYWHERE
  Not all words searched (stop words, too frequent occurrences)
  Variant spellings, synonyms can be a problem
  Frequently out-of-context results, e.g. false drops
  Can often result in HIGH RECALL, LOW PRECISION

  WHEN TO USE?
  Use when unsure of exact subject heading (=controlled vocabulary)
  Use when search term is unique or very recently coined
  Use when "fishing" for a subject heading

  Controlled Vocabulary

  Searches for matches to controlled vocabulary terms (=SUBJECT, DESCRIPTOR)

  Frequently databases have an online thesaurus, or subject heading list

  Not as flexible as keyword searching

  Very current terms or phrases may not be represented. EX: affluenza, guerrilla
  

  librarianship

  Usually results in LOW RECALL, HIGH PRECISION

  WHEN TO USE?

  Use when are sure of exact subject heading

  Use when desire precise results

Make Boolean Commands Work for You

• Description: Algebraic type equations
• Frequently found in electronic databases
• AND used more often than the other two commands
• You must understand boolean logic to effectively use an electronic database.
  

  See pg. 38-39 of Bolner/Poirier textbook

  EX: (internet OR web OR online) AND (folklore OR urban legend OR hoax)

AND	Narrows
OR	Broadens
NOT	Eliminates

Limit Your Search When Necessary

Typically you can limit your search query by
• date of publication
• language
• publication format
• and sometimes other methods (age group, journal code, classification code)

Make Use of Truncation or Wildcard Features

• Special characters follow the word stem and allow you to search for spelling variations,
  plurals, or other variants
• EX: * ! ?
• Thus, manag* retrieves manage, manages, managing, manager,
  managers, management
• Can sometimes be used in the middle of the word to retrieve variant forms
  EX: wom*n

Always Examine Your Results for Accuracy and Relevancy, Reformulating Search As Needed

(AKA) Goldilocks and the Three Bears Approach

• Too few
  Use different search terms: synonyms, alternate spellings
  Broaden your search with OR
  Use a broader term
  In some cases, truncate your search term(s)
  Use a keyword search

  Too many

  Narrow your search with AND

  Use a more specific term

  Limit by date, publication type, language, other factors

  Just right!

  Examine the record(s) to figure out how you got there

  If searching by keyword, look at the index terms then do subject
  

  or controlled vocabulary search. This is what I call a backdoor search

  If searching by controlled vocabulary, look for keywords that might
  

  retrieve other, on-target results.

Eight Things To Do When You Are Stuck

Reprise of Goldilocks and the Three Bears Approach
1. Read the Screen! and the onscreen instructions
2. Check your spelling & double check your search terms, concepts, terminology and use of search terms with alternate meanings
3. Revise your search strategy
4. Try Boolean Commands
5. Use Help screens, tutorials and informational brochures
6. Try a different database
7. Explain your search strategy to someone else
8. Ask for help

Online Catalogs

Basic Facts

• Not all the same
• Commercially produced
• Turnkey systems
• Package deal, has various modules

  Cataloging

  Circulation

  Acquisitions

  Serials Check-In

  Online Catalog

• Leading companies:

  Ameritech (formerly known as Dynix)

  CARL

  DRA

  Innovative Interfaces

  SIRSI

  VTLS

• More & more online catalogs available on the Web
• In the late 70s and early 80s some libraries developed in-house systems
  EX: University of California--Melvyl

  Some libraries have gone commercial with their in-house products

  EX: Virginia Technical Institute--VTLS

  EX: Colorado Association of Research Libraries--CARL

How to Find Them?

• Library Catalogs via the Web
  • Search for web-based catalogs via WEBcats: Library Catalogues on the WWW another Peter Scott creation at the University of Saskatchewan. Here's how.
  • From Netscape, click on OPEN and type in: http://library.usask.ca/hywebcat/
  • You can search the index by library type at http://library.usask.ca/hywebcat/libtype.html OR
  • OR you can search the index alphabetically by state at http://library.usask.ca/hywebcat/geographic.html

---

by Susan E. Beck
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM