Search Strategies

Me oh my, fellow researchers!

These past few weeks have sure put me to the test with my research skills! I think I have spent more time on search engines and journal databases lately than I have spent eating... and thats a big problem because eating is my favourite thing to do! I have truly learnt a lot about my personal likes and dislikes when deciphering which database is appropriate for any given topic. I think I have exhausted all of the following databases and search engines for my podcast so I believe what I am about to reveal of each, can be extremely useful to the 'lost researcher'!

I have used Boolean logic in the past, as I was originally introduced to it in grade twelve. I remember the librarian giving us a lecture on it, and thinking to myself that class couldn't possibly be more boring, slash when would I ever use this!? HOW WRONG I WAS. I have used it countless times this year! Unfortunately I never had any research essays or assignments in first year so my skills were a little rusty, but they have definitely improved again this year. Boolean logic uses the words "and", "or" and "not". By using "and" you are able to group together search terms so that you can discover works that include both of your search terms. By using "or" you will broaden your search by combining concepts, giving results using either one of your search terms. By using "not" you will be able to focus your search between similar search terms to make your results even more specific. By using Boolean logic, one is supposed to gather results that are more specific to your topic by factoring out unwanted ones using the and, or and not function. I have found many articles this way, and will continue to use it.

By searching by subject, you must be extremely precise from the get go. It may be in your best interest to brainstorm words around what you believe your subject to be, and use that list to find the one that appears most controlled to the English language, not a made up word by society. It is very useful to have this tool in your knowledge because being able to define your topic will help you to search more effectively for resources. I have tried a few times, especially when I am searching a topic that appears to be newer, because by bringing it down to its most basic roots I am able to find some sort of article.

I much prefer using the library databases to Google Scholar. I find Google Scholar to give too big of a span of results. By using the library you can narrow your search right off the bat by choosing a database that is in the field of your topic. Not only that, but there are usually at least five databases to use if the first one you use does not give you the results you were looking for. Google Scholar works very well as another resource for sure, and can give you a lots of results; they may just not be the ones you were looking for or be available at York. Due to these reasons, I would rely on the York library database for future searches.

While this process has been very informative, I will appreciate the break from research for sure!