Conducting a Library Search

The choice of Boolean terminology can markedly affect your search returns. Select a topic related to your area of practice, and select two scholarly databases to find information on the topic. Describe the search – what key words did you use? How many articles did your initial search yield? How did you narrow or expand the search? How many articles did you find once you narrowed or expanded the search? Summarize the results from the search.

This question discusses the principles of conducting a library search. Two Course Outcomes are addressed in this discussion question:

Course Outcome 3: Apply research principles to the interpretation of the content of published research studies

Course Outcome 4: Analyze data from relevant sources, including technology, to inform the delivery of care.

In this week's lesson the concept of Boolean logic is introduced as a way to conduct library searches. The choice of Boolean terminology can markedly affect your search returns.

This discussion thread will help prepare you for the Week 5 Assignment. I have also attached a helpful handout regarding how to conduct an Advanced (Boolean) search of the online Chamberlain Library holdings.