Peer Review

Basic Vs. Advanced Search

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Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This is a non-interactive tutorial to teach students how to do a basic or advanced research for information. This short tutorial points out some considerations in choosing between a basic or an advanced search when looking for information in a database.
Type of Material:: Tutorial
Recommended Uses:: This tutorial could be given as homework or review prior to assigning students an introductory research project and as individual and team searching activity in databases for journal articles.
Technical Requirements:: Flash-enabled browser (used Safari 5.1.3). Also .fla file opener, such as Adobe Flash CS3, to open and modify the tutorial.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The student will develop an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the basic or advanced search interfaces for particular types of searches. The learner will develop a basic understanding of how to develop a search strategy and narrow a search.
Target Student Population:: The tutorial is suitable for students in introductory research classes in any subject area.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None.

Rating:
Strengths:: • The tutorial makes it clear that the basic and advanced search screens may differ slightly in particular databases, so very generalizable. • The tutorial is short enough (70 seconds) that students might actually watch and get a crucial point: there are different ways to search a database, so look for them. - Is clear and concise. - Is self contained and can be used without an assignment. - Is flexible and can be used by any discipline. - Is current and relevant for any level.
Concerns:: • There is no mention in this short tutorial of any Boolean operator except “and”—there is an indication that more tutorials exist to discuss this although there are no links. • There is no discussion or demonstration of how you might switch between the interfaces, or that the default screen will choose/recommend one for you. The differences between a basic and advanced search could be defined more in the tutorial. - The concept of "narrowing" a search is mentioned, but could be developed a little more without adding length to the tutorial.

Rating:
Strengths:: - Is easy to write assignments for and is very efficient. - Demonstrates relationships between concepts or search terms. - Has the ability to build on prior concepts or be built upon for later tutorials. This teaches one core concept only, which is clearly described by its title and which requires no introduction, and does it very effectively and efficiently.
Concerns:: - None.

Rating:
Strengths:: - Is very easy to use. - The pictures are visually appealing. - The tutorial is short in length like a YouTube video which students are familiar viewing. This is a very simple and clear explanation of the fact that you need to consider your search objectives before you choose your search interface
Concerns:: There is no interactivity, but the short length of the tutorial and the examples shown effectively explain the concept without the need to practice.Students may not pay attention without interaction on their part. - Possibly the tutorial include a list of terms the student could click on to develop a "search".

Other Issues and Comments:: This tutorial does what it says it will do, but is only one step in the research process and would be best as part of a series that describes several other key concepts (boolean, other limits, etc.) The super-short length works well though, and isolates this one decision and explains it. A good tutorial, but needs a little work. - Very basic in design, but can be built upon or used with other tutorials.
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