1	Library Research Tips Eileen Wakiji Health Science Librarian Fall 2006
2	Today: Work on search strategy Practice searching a database Ask questions!
3	What is the #1 thing you want explained today about library research?
4	Searching “Key” to getting what you want Tips: Boolean: And, Or, Not Limits Subject headings/terms Truncation
5	Tips for your search strategy Know what you are looking for Describe your topic with keywords Find out if the database has specific headings that might better define your topic. Most databases have a subject thesaurus or controlled vocabulary (like MeSH for MEDLINE).
6	Search Tips (Continued) Formulate your search by breaking your topic into variables Example: Identify risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers (decubitus ulcers) in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Tip: You do not have to search every word.
7	Search Tips (Continued) Create search statements using Boolean operators AND narrows a search Example: aids and prevention OR broadens a search Example: prevention or treatments or vaccines NOT excludes terms from a search Example: emerging infectious diseases not SARS
8	Search Tips (Continued) Combining terms
9	Search Tips (Continued) Truncation Truncation symbols or wildcards or plural searching examples: , #, !, ?, + Truncation allows you to search for terms with multiple endings, like plurals. e.g. diabet searches for diabetes, diabetic e.g. student* searches for student, students Wildcard takes the place of one character, like wom#n (for women or woman)
10	Search Tips (Continued) What to do if you get too much? Limit options Field searching, e.g. subject headings Special modifiers Combine searches or add more concepts What to do if you get too few? Eliminate concepts Use different terms Cited references
11	COAST The online library catalog Find materials (books, periodicals, media, etc.) we have Find some of the services we offer Starts with keyword search
12	Databases Online tool Helps to find scholarly & peer-reviewed literature – gives citation/reference Many full text articles, but not ALL Use SFX ! (when available) Good place to start research
13	Google Crawls through the web to find web sites Emphasis is not scholarly, but… Google Scholar Beta Great for information, but use research databases too!
14	Citing… Why? How? Help? http://www.csulb.edu/library/eref/vref/style.html
15	Where to get Reference Desk Check “Hours” on library website for current hours 24/7 Ask Now Service Help literally 24/7 online Your subject librarian!
16	Happy Researching!