BetterSearch

(Readings & Resources Handout)
 * EBP: Better Search = Best Evidence **

Information-seeking behaviors: determining factors
 * 1) defining convenience: "If it is too inconvenient, I'm not going after it!"
 * familiarity with the resource
 * availability of the resource
 * 1) success in the past (often with Google)
 * tried it --> it didn't work --> conclusion: There isn't anything about my topic.
 * tried it --> found something --> conclusion: I found the best stuff about my topic.

Making searching more convenient and successful:
 * Understanding the research process
 * Understanding search tools
 * Do you know your search tools? (answer key)
 * Consult a professional! (that would be a LIBRARIAN, in case you haven't guessed!)
 * The Harold H. Brittingham Memorial Library is located on the second floor (Room 267) of the Rammelkamp Center for Education and Research at MetroHealth Medical Center. The library hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The library phone number is 216-778-5623. Here's "the Skinny"
 * Cleveland Health Sciences Library, CWRU - Reference Services & contact information

Understanding databases:
 * What is a database? (interactive tutorial)
 * Anatomy of a database:
 * common features: records, fields, source, content (citation, abstract, full text)
 * ** content / focus / purpose (relevance) **
 * authority & ownership/bias
 * open access vs. proprietary

Search vs. research:
 * keywords (context, findability & aboutness)
 * subject terms (controlled vocabulary / MeSH)
 * search concepts vs. PICO question:
 * broad/related search terms
 * limiters & field-specific searching
 * searching concepts separately to reveal relevant evidence; combining concepts using AND / OR (Boolean operators)
 * Asking answerable questions: using PICO to develop a research strategy (interactive tutorial)