Ready to get the most out of your article search? This tutorial will help you successfully navigate search filters, construct effective searches, and download the full texts of your articles! The tutorial features a video as well as additional written tips.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
In-class before a research assignment, assigned as homework, or used as part of a library orientation.
Technical Requirements:
Browser. Tested in Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and mobile phone (iPhone).
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Students will create both narrow and broad search terms through keyword, truncation, and Boolean logic search strategies based on the results of an initial database search.
Students will demonstrate the ability to sort and filter database search results.
Students will demonstrate database use as an alternative to Google and Google Scholar.
Students will navigate to full text of articles.
Target Student Population:
High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None required, but a rudimentary understanding of library databases or web discovery tools will be helpful.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This tutorial is clear, concise, and very easy to follow. It provides several demonstrations of database search techniques that can support students in their research. The information is current, relevant, and delivered in a short amount of time, making it a simple and succinct introduction to searching web discovery tools and databases. The tutorial emphasizes key concepts such as identifying search terms, accommodating synonymous language, and using filters effectively, while moving quickly and incorporating frequent visual changes to help maintain students’ attention.
Concerns:
Sometimes the tutorial moves too fast and you cannot process the images, particularly when it showed multiple search configurations for a specific topic.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The goals of this tutorial are easy to identify. When used as a supplement to research instruction in the classroom or during library instruction, it can enhance student learning and encourage critical thinking about research strategies when using library databases. The tutorial is short, succinct, and moves quickly without, for the most part, diminishing comprehension.
Concerns:
It would be useful to have a little more time to review the terms shown on the screen. There should be more background as to why you need to accommodate synonymous terms in an effective search.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
This tutorial is clear, concise, and visually appealing. It meets the accessibility requirements noted on the website. The pacing is well balanced, which enhances engagement. The tutorial accomplishes a great deal in a short amount of time.
Concerns:
If accessing on a iPhone or small mobile device, the dialog boxes are very small and hard to read. There is no interactivity.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
