Developing a Basic Search String

Learn how to develop an efficient search string using three practical tools: Boolean operators, quotation marks, and the asterisk (star symbol). These tools aid in obtaining relevant research results efficiently.

Key Tools for Search String Development

1. Boolean Operators

• Purpose: Combine or exclude keywords in a search.
• Operators:
  • AND: Retrieves items that include two different concepts together.
    • Example: "caffeine AND sprint performance" for articles covering both topics.
  • OR: Retrieves items that include at least one of the concepts.
    • Example: "teenagers OR young adults" to get similar types of information.
  • NOT: Excludes specific terms from the search results.
    • Example: "walking patterns NOT treadmill" to filter out treadmill-related information.
• Usage: Always written in capital letters and can be used multiple times.

2. Truncation

• Symbol: Asterisk (*)
• Purpose: Capture all forms of a root word.
• Examples:
  • "teen*" to find "teen", "teens", "teenage", "teenager", "teenagers".
  • "Canad*" to find "Canada", "Canadian", "Canadians".

3. Quotation Marks

• Purpose: Keep phrases intact in searches to avoid unrelated results.
• Example: "heart rate" ensures results focus on heart rate, avoiding separate mentions like "heart disease" or "mortality rate".

Additional Tips

• Experimentation: Try different combinations to find the most effective search strategy.
• Support: Contact your subject librarian or visit a library service desk for further assistance in developing search strategies.

Conclusion

Utilizing Boolean operators, truncation, and quotation marks can significantly enhance the relevance and efficiency of database searches. Remember, no search is perfect; experimenting with different strategies is key to success.

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These notes aim to provide a high-level overview and reference to effectively develop search strings for academic databases.