SAMPLE SEARCH STRATEGY

SAMPLE SEARCH STRATEGY

(an organized plan for researching a subject)

Subject: Child abuse

Start with reference books and databases to define and narrow subject and come up with subject headings to search under.

Encyclopedias: Encyclopedia Americana

I found: Definitions and statistics

             Types of abuse

             Abusers

             Treatment

             Bibliography


The Encyclopedia Americana is also available on the World Wide Web.

Subject Encyclopedias: Encyclopedia of Sociology

I found: Family violence

Incest

Sexual violence

Bibliographies: None found.

(These are not available for every subject but are usually found in the 016's of the reference section)

Statistical Sources: Almanacs

Statistical Abstract (also World Wide Web)

2. Determine key words--Subject headings--to search.

If needed, consult Library of Congress Subject Headings (used in library catalog) or Sears List of Subject Headings (used in periodical indexes)

I found: Child abuse

   Battered child syndrome

   Child neglect

   Cruelty to children

   Child abuse programs

3. Use the library catalog to find:

Books

Audio-visual materials

If nothing is found with a subject search, try the keyword or advanced search. Use the SILO Locator and WorldCat (World Wide Web) to find books available in other libraries.

DON'T STOP HERE!!

   4. Consult Indexes and databases - periodical and newspaper, print or electronic.

         In this case:   Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health

                                    Literature  (paper, online)

                                EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier (World Wide Web)

                                ERIC Educational Resources Information Center (World Wide

                                    Web)

                                Issues and Controversies @ Facts.com (World Wide Web)

                                Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe (World Wide Web)

                                PsychARTICLES (World Wide Web)

            Some will be more helpful than others. It all depends on the emphasis of your research.

Also check: Des Moines Register (World Wide Web)

                     Newsbank Newsfile (World Wide Web)

Periodicals are often more up-to-date than books! Articles are usually more specific, dealing with one aspect of the subject.

    5. Check for sources on the Internet.

Health and Government sources on child abuse are available on the

World Wide Web, as well as agencies that deal with the issue.

The library web page includes a list of online government resources.

    6.   When in doubt, ask the librarian for assistance.

    7.   If you still don't find enough information, ask about interlibrary loan.

Advantages of using a search strategy:

You can cover all types of sources--not hit and miss.

You can evaluate and eliminate sources to find those best suited to your research.

You won't end up trying to write a 300-page paper in 10 pages!