#6 Competency Database Searching

Competency #6 Building Block Form using Database ERIC EBSCO Host

I used Eric EBSCO HOST to find articles on reluctant readers in the elementary classroom with teachers as the target. I was amazed that the words I put in had an immediate hit entitled Teaching Struggling Readers: Articles from the “The Reading Teacher.” This was perfect for what I wanted to learn about.

http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2053/ehost/search?vid=1&hid=108&sid=483df99f-c64d-4968-a2cf-6a7debb8544d%40sessionmgr111

Reflection: The only parameter I didn’t put in was the date. I’d like newer research to review. So I adjusted my search and put in the dates from 2000-2009 and came up with newer articles. I could narrow down my searches even further with these subjects suggested by the database. I was interested in all of the subjects so again, I got what I wanted using the Building Block format: Reading Comprehension, Teaching Methods , Word Recognition , Reading Difficulties , Vocabulary Development , Elementary Education This was a good way to search especially after put limits on the search.
S1= reluctant readers
S2= struggling and reader
S3= elementary and reader
S1 and s2 and s3 = 45 hits
The first hit gave me the information I needed and had only one record. I don’t know how that happened.

Competency #6 Browsing Search Strategy using database Library Lit & Inf.
http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2055/hww/thesaurus/thesaurus.jhtml;hwwilsonid=Z3A0ZBZFIBXBXQA3DIMCFGGADUNGIIV0?prod=LIBFT

I used Library Lit & Inf. Full Text for browsing reluctant readers in the Thesaurus setting. My first hit came up with 172 records found for (reluctant, reader) ALL.

Reflection: I had some suprising results using the Thesaurus section to browse rewarded me articles published sorted by relevance. I would have liked more information geared for elementary education since that is my focus. I started playing with the database. I went back and reset more limits that gave me more literature I wanted. Browsing can give you an overall picture of a subject but you really need to build in limits or qualifers in order to get more detailed information.

Competency #6 Database Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts

Citation Pearl: Using one good article to search for others.
Listed below is the strategy method I used
Begin with a known relevant article (the pearl). If a known relevant article isn't available, conduct a highprecision search limiting all terms to the title field.
Search the database for that article's record.
Review the descriptors (subject indexing) assigned to the record.
Conduct a new search using the relevant descriptors from the pearl.
Examine any new relevant records retrieved.
Review the descriptors assigned to the new records.
Conduct a new search using any additional relevant descriptors found in the new records.
Repeat the process (steps 5-7) with additional relevant records until enough relevant material has been retrieved.
I used the database Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text to search for reluctant readers. 83 hits came up and I chose to use the following article to find a good book for reluctant readers. The article is very current with a May 2009 publishing date.

Next I chose a subject index Children’s books which gave 3333 different articles. I liked that there were current articles and books associated with this record. I decided I would investigate the site further and came up with this record.

Reflection: Using the citation pearl linked what I was searching up with newer and more interesting articles. This in turn led to 17 great articles about books, reading and helping reluctant readers find high interest reading material. I enjoyed finding my way around another database.

Competency #6 Successive Fractions Academic Search Complete
Search: How to motivate reluctant readersA. Search using a broad facet: motivate reluctant readersB. Narrow by adding second facet: elementary educationC. Narrow by adding third facet: encourageD. Combine with Boolean logic: (motivate reluctant readers) and (elementary education) and (encourage)Publication years 2000-2009
A. Broad facet hits: 42,903
B. Second facet: 313,621

C. Third facet: 333,935 hits

I liked the first hit. The article is about encouraging teachers and libraries to attract reluctant students to read using graphic novels.
A Novel Approach: Using Graphic Novels to Attract ReluctantReaders and Promote Literacy.Full Text Available By: Crawford, Philip. Library Media Connection, Feb2004, Vol. 22 Issue 5, p26-28, 3p, 1 color; (AN 12028381)

Competency #6 Specific Facet using Database Academic Search Complete

Reluctant readers is my main focus in this search. I had a difficult time searching and navigating around this database.

Reflection: Error on user’s part is what I came up with. I tried to limit my search and thought that I was doing it correctly . However, each time I put in another facet I came up with more hits. I was not at all disappointed. The first 50 or so hits were very interesting. The search led to some great articles that I want to explore later. I also want to share them with other teachers. What I learned from using Academic Search Complete is that it is more difficult to use than other databases. The user needs to know how to navigate the database to get the results they want.