Search Strategies

Search Strategies1) Choosing a Topic2) Developing Keywords3) Boolean Search Operators4) Subject Headings5) Using the References List•Practice!

1) Choosing a Topic

Sources of Topic Ideas

Sources of Topic Ideas•Course material•Assignment•Current literature in the field•News•Personal Interests•Professor

2) Developing Keywords

Background Information•Encyclopedias•Dictionaries•Wikipedia•Google

Music Background Sources

Music Background Sources

Brainstorming

Topic: electronic stands

Should orchestras use electronic stands?

Brainstorming

Should orchestras use electronic stands?

Brainstormingorchestr

aperformanc

e

electronic stands

Should orchestras use electronic stands?

Brainstorming orchestra

performance

electronicstands

symphony

musicians

applicationtechnology

iPad

playing

music

score

pagesapp

Brainstorming

Brainstorming•Find new words•Use your brainstorm to change your research question if need be

3) Boolean Search Operators

What are Boolean Search Operators•The most common Boolean search operators are

ANDOR

NOT•Put them between two or more words or phrases from your search terms, and make sure they are capitalized

What are Boolean Search Operators

•Using your brainstorm map, find some search terms and make some Boolean search connections.

4) Subject Headings

Subject Headings•What is a subject heading?

Word or phrase assigned to a source by librarians or authors

Using Subject HeadingsYou search Rock and Roll… but the subject heading is Popular Music.

You’ll get fewer relevant results with your search term than with the subject heading

assigned to the source.

Where are subject headings found?

In the library catalog, open the record and click on the Full Record

tab

Where are subject headings found?

In EBSCOhost databases,

list of subject terms

found in record

Where are subject headings found?

In JSTOR Advanced

Search, can narrow by discipline

Subject Headings•Find some appropriate subject headings for your topic question. If you need help finding an appropriate database, don’t hesitate to ask!

5) References List

Practice Time!Pick your favorite 2 background sources about your brainstormed topic.

Record some background info about it and pull out at least 3 more keywords from your research.

The person with the most brainstormed words gets a special prize.