Suggestions
for Efficient Electronic Searches
Online computer searching is often
faster and more efficient than searching
in printed indexes. Most electronic
search systems allow you to specify
two or more terms to produce references
or information on a specific topic.
The computer offers more "access points" than
print sources. For example, in an electronic
index you may be able to search an
abstract and keywords, language codes,
and document type all at once. A single
database search can cover many years
at a time.
Computer searching is not foolproof,
however. Success depends on the quality
of the indexing, database accuracy
and comprehensiveness, your knowledge
of the database, and your ability to
define your topic precisely. Browsing
printed indexes can lead to serendipitous
discoveries, whereas computer searching
may only retrieve exactly what you
have requested. In addition, indexes
covering certain dates, subjects, and
viewpoints are not available electronically.
 Am
I prepared to search an electronic
database?
Is
this a database that
covers my subject?
How
often is the database
updated?
Does
the database provide
the kind of information
I require?
Does
it cover the time period
I am interested in?
What
terminology is required?
Is
the article cited appropriate
to my research assignment?
Help
Ask yourself these questions before
you use an electronic database:
- Am I prepared to
search an electronic database?
Before searching online, do some preliminary research
to narrow
your topic, and make a list of words or phrases
(titles, names, authors, synonyms, key words or
phrases, etc.) to search.
- Is this a database
that covers my subject?
All indexes have much in common, but each covers
different subjects, periodicals, and document types
(e.g., conference proceedings, research reports,
dissertations, book reviews, government reports,
etc.).
- How often is the
database updated?
New citations may be added more often than in print
indexes. Depending on the database, new records
may be added daily, monthly, or quarterly.
- Does the database
provide the kind of information
I require?
You may be searching for sources for statistics,
whereas the database treating the topic emphasizes
descriptive and analytic sources.
- Does it cover the
time period I am interested in?
Many databases emphasize the most current information.
Electronic databases are limited in terms of how
far they go back in time, as well as how current
they are. For example, Biological Abstracts is
searchable online only from 1969 onwards, but the
print version extends back to 1927.
- What terminology
is required?
The information you need may often be hidden from
you because you have the wrong search terminology.
Many databases have their own thesaurus of terms.
Many database manufacturers create new subject
headings to keep up with topics and issues in the
current news. If you miss the correct form of a
word, the search will not find the information
you need. For example, should you look under rainforest
or rain forest? Check to see whether the database
you are interested in has its own thesaurus of
terms, and use it -- see a librarian for assistance.
- Is the article cited
appropriate to my research assignment?
Look carefully at the article's title. Is this
what you need? It is important to judge the relevance
of the article to your information need. Notice
what subject headings have been assigned to this
article. It might be useful to search by these
subject headings in this or another database. Read
over any additional clues, especially abstracts
that the index offers.
Help
Remember that the person on duty at
the Reference Desk is acquainted with
the indexes available and can help
you in your choice and use of the various
indexes.
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