Introduction to the Library Catalog
The Library Catalog is a listing of books, journal titles, government documents, media materials, etc. that the Cline Library owns.
Search Options - In what ways can you search the Catalog?
What other library catalogs can you access from the Cline Library's?
What is the difference between a Word search and a Subject Heading search?
In what ways can you limit a search?
Can you find journal articles on the Library Catalog?
What are some of the advantages of having an online library catalog?
Disadvantages?
Email is one component or portion of the Internet. We won't discuss
its merits or disadvantages here, but for the purposes of the class, I
want each of you to acquire an email account from NAU. Start with the LOUIE
system and build you're own email account if you have done so already.
Check it daily for announcements concerning the class.
Search Strategies.
When using computerized systems, indexes, and catalogs, it becomes increasingly important these days to be able to develop a "search strategy" to effectively and efficiently find pertinent items for your research. This is especially true since most computerized systems do not employ "natural language" as an option.
Boolean Operators
There are certain words that a computerized system uses to put terms that you give it together in order for it to do its job. The fancy name given to these words is "Boolean Operators." Lest you get worried about this technical terminology, all it really means is "AND," "OR," and "NOT".
An "AND" search will result in the system bringing back items that contain
BOTH or ALL the terms you asked for. The more terms you put in, the narrower
your search results.
For example: "achievement AND science AND high schools" is a narrower
search than "achievement AND science."
An "OR" search will result in the system bringing back items that contain
AT LEAST ONE of the terms you asked for, but not necessarily all of your
terms. One uses an "OR" search to broaden one's topic, because you
are using synonyms or terms with similar meaning or similar function.
Examples: teenagers OR adolescents, science curriculum OR social sciences
A "NOT" search is for excluding certain terms that may be plaguing your
search. Be careful using this Boolean Operator because you may inadvertently
exclude things that would indeed be useful.
For example: Mississippi River NOT Mark Twain
There are other "proximity operators" such as NEAR, ADJ (adjacent), but not all systems use them.
The best way I know to develop one's skills in forming search strategies is to fill out the following steps, at least for the first few times you try it.
Step 1. Describe your search topic in your own words in one sentence.
Step 2. Indicate the key concepts involved with your topic and write
down alternative terms or
keywords which describe these concepts.
Alternative Words:
Concept #1 AND Concept #2 AND Concept #3
_____________________ _______________________
______________________
OR
OR
OR
_____________________ _______________________
______________________
OR
OR
OR
_____________________ _______________________
______________________
Step 3. Construct the search strategy.
Example
Step 1. Describe your search topic in your own words in one sentence.
I want to investigate the Ozone Hole and
how it effects the weather in North America
Step 2. Indicate the key concepts involved with your topic and write down three alternative terms or keywords which Desiree these concepts.
Alternative Words:
Concept #1 AND Concept #2 AND Concept #3
ozone hole
weather
North America
OR
OR