INF 100 - Sixth Assignment


Required Readings and Preparation:

Carefully read Chapter 6 in Introduction to Information Research, "The Research Process," pages 97-116. Be sure to do the reading first.

Go to real FirstSearch web site and log on:

Choose three databases for your topic first by selecting "List by Topic" and then getting more information about each one. Write down your choices.

Choose three databases again by using FirstSearch's "Select Best" function. Write them down. If any of the suggestions are different, get information about the new ones that FirstSearch recommends and compare them to the ones you initially selected. Modify your selections.

Using the worksheet you filled out on focusing your topic (part of the 4th assignment), do a free-text "advanced" search on your topic in three databases at a time. Write down your search exactly. Notice how your results differ from or match your expectations. How relevant are your results? Use the results to find useful access points for a more focused search. "Mark" the items you like.

Next, go into your databases one at a time and use the thesaurus for each database (if available) to construct an "advanced" search using the controlled vocabulary (specific access points). Use your worksheet again. Modify your searches if necessary. Write down each search that you do and note what database it was in. Notice how the results differ from or match your expectations. How relevant are your results? "Mark" the items you like.

You may download an article or two that you want to use for your project. Use the SJSU catalag to see if they have the periodicals in which articles you find appear. If you want articles or books from San Jose State, use the NHU library website to place an order. Inter-library loans from other libraries may also be available; contact the librarian for further information (273-2773 or rlitwin@nhu.edu).

After you have finished searching and marked the articles you are interested in, email yourself the marked records only. Then, forward a copy of the email that comes from FirstSearch to the instructor, at rlitwin@nhu.edu. Do not send the email directly from FirstSearch to the instructor - send it to yourself first.

Click "Exit" on the left-hand part of the FirstSearch screen.

Assignment based on the above preparation:

Please answer the following ten questions in the form provided. Your answers will be emailed to the instructor. Each question is worth five points.

Your name:

Your email address:

From the reading in An Introduction to Information Research:

List the major steps in the research process (tailor your answer to your own topic).

When is it most appropriate to use online periodicals indexes?

How can you use the descriptor field in a search session if you don't already know the descriptors used in the database? (Assume that NO THESAURUS is available.)

When is it good to do a free-text search?

When should you use truncation?

FirstSearch questions:

What was your controlled vocabulary (access point) search and what database was it in? (Use the most successful one and copy it here exactly as you wrote it down.)

What is a method of increasing the relevance of your search results if too many are off-topic to start out with?

What are some ways you can get access to articles you find using FirstSearch databases?

How do you truncate in FirstSearch? (Use the help system in the "Searching" section if necessary.)

Did you successfully email your marked results to yourself and forward the email to the instructor?

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Last updated July, 2000