Emilia, W14: Search Strategies

    To my knowledge, Boolean logic is when you use specific words as symbols. In the case of my research, it would be good for narrowing down search results. For example you would use the words "and, or and not" as keywords that can give you more results that are specific to your topic. Ex. Fuel cells "and" environment 

It was actually a really useful method for my research. I was able to find many valuable resources and without it I may not have found sources with the same quality. Will  I use it again? Most likely, especially if I am looking into a topic I am not too sure about.

      A "subject" in this case refers to a topic known professionally, for examle "automotives". It is important to know how to look these up in trade, journals, because these trade journals are used by the professionals of the industry to stay up to date with all the information on whichever subject it may be. So, when conducting research, being knowledgeable on the proper use of these journals can give you some quality information. As of now I have only taken a peek at these journals but I did not use them for my research. My topic, fuel cells, had a lot of information that I was able to find in a lot of other places. That being said, I am not completely going to ignore trade journals, and I will take another look at them if I need more information.   

    In regards to Google Scholar and Library databases, I prefer library data. since all my information is right at my fingertips. I got pretty frustrated with Google scholar at times. I would be searching for something, would find an AMAZING source and then realized I could not even access it. Google scholar isn't all bad though, at times you can get some useful bits of information. In that way, you can use scholar and databases together by starting with Google to get ideas and then with those ideas, you can go to a database to find a more detailed version of the information you need.

Search Strategies

Hello everyone,

It has been a couple of weeks since we have had to make a blog post. Time to get back into the swing of things!

I have been in University for a few years now, and I have utilized both Google Scholar and Library Databases. They are both very useful and beneficial types of technological resources. However, I personally prefer the various databases the University has to offer. The University E-Resources provide the student with a much greater variety and stronger choice of academic literature. When search results appear within the database, it provides you with many different academic journals. As a researcher, you have a greater number of sources with databases than Google Scholar.

            The scholarly journals that can be obtained through library databases are much more detailed than the articles found in Google Scholar. A noticeable difference between the Library Databases and Google Scholar is that some scholarly articles gathered through Google Scholar require payment in order to view the document. Another discernable feature of Google Scholar is that it does not allow you to conduct a Boolean logic search to narrow and categorize your topic. Library Databases allow you to formulate a specific search that, in turn, leads to a greater likelihood of a student finding research aligned with his/her particular topic.

            It can be beneficial to use both the Library Databases and Google Scholar. Sometimes when researching, articles found within Library Databases cannot be accessed. Therefore, by default, I would go to Google Scholar and find the source that I could not access through the Library Databases. Another example whereby I would consult with Google Scholar is when I collect a source from a Library Database, but cannot access the document in its entirety. In addition, I would use Google Scholar in combination with Library Databases to find quality popular sources about the topic I was researching.

            In future assignments that require extensive research, I would rely on Library Databases such as JSTOR or ProQuest as they are free to access through the University website, contains peer-reviewed scholarly articles and access to all of the major academic journals in circulation.

           

           

Search Strategies

A ‘subject’ is a keyword you search in a journal database. It is useful to know how to look up official subjects because it will make your search for a specific, let’s say, article- since we are talking journal database- much more efficient, using a keyword or an arrangement of keywords. I have tried searching official subjects on databases and it has proven to be very efficient, for it helps you zone in on a specific discipline/subject you may be looking for. Yes, I will continue using this research method.

Bariah Qadeer, W14: Search Strategies

Hi everyone,

Below is some information about a search strategy:

BOOLEAN Logic is a technique that you use to research on search engines such as Google Scholar and on databases such as EBSCO. The following terms are used: AND, NOT, OR. For example for my podcast I researched:

• Formal AND Informal Writing

   à This helped me to find an article regarding whether informal writing affects formal writing or  

                not. So I was able to use Boolean Logic successfully.

This technique is helpful because it narrows down the results of your search. It prevents you from reading about 100 articles, which could be irrelevant. These three terms allow you to reach the specific and relevant articles that you need because it forces you to use the keywords of your research question.

After this experience, I will use Boolean Logic again because when you’re doing an assignment with a specific due date, you don’t have much time to read and you have to manage your time. So Boolean Logic does help to manage your time and narrow the results of your search.

I am glad that I completed the draft transcript for the podcast because now I have a vivid image of where I’m headed.

I hope our podcasts turn out good because we’ve been researching efficiently!