Developed by Christy Gavin 2009

Types of Search Strategies: Keyword/Keyphrase Boolean Controlled Vocabulary

1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic statement into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept

Racial Inequality Phrase: racial inequality in the workplace Question: Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? Thesis: Racial inequality still exists in the workplace.

Divide Statement into Concepts Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? AND racial AND inequality workplace racial

1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept

Select words to Express Concept AND workplace OR employment OR jobs AND race OR ethnic OR minority Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? inequality OR discrimination OR prejudice

Divide Statement into Concepts Does racial inequality still exist in the workplace? AND racial AND inequality workplace racial

Write a Clear Statement What are the issues involving the bullying of individuals through the Internet?

3. Select words to express concept. What are the issues involving the bullying of individuals through the Internet? AND Bullying Internet

2. Divide topic into concepts What are the issues involving the bullying of individuals through the Internet? Harassment OR Stalking OR Bullying OR Predator AND Internet OR Web OR Online

Write a Topic Statement What types of treatment are available to teens who have attempted suicide?

Divide Statement into Concepts What types of treatment are available to teens who have attempted suicide? AND treatmentteens suicide

Select words to Express Concept What types of treatment are available to teens who have attempted suicide? AND treatment OR therapy OR psychotherapy OR counseling teens OR young adults OR adolescents suicide OR self-murder OR self-destruct

Synonyms/Closely Related Words Hispanics: Latinos, Latinas, Mexican-Americans, Chicanos _______________________________________________ Identify synonyms or closely related words for: gays: spouse: kids under the age of 5 years old:

Synonyms/Closely Related Words gays: homosexuals, lesbians, same sex spouse: wife, husband little kids: toddlers, preschoolers, infants, newborns

Summary 1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic statement into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept 4. Truncate appropriate words

Truncation retrieves all variant forms of a word. Example: industry

Truncate: Industr*

To truncate, use the asterisk *

Truncate the following terms: treatment spouse sexism

sexism: sexis* includes: sexist, sexists, sexism treatment: treat* includes: treat, treats, treating, treated, treatment spouse: spous* includes: spouse, spouses, spousal

Summary 1. Write a clear statement about topic 2. Divide topic statement into concepts 3. Select words to express each concept 4. Truncate appropriate words