Module 3: Basics of Database Searching

This tutorial introduces students to electronic databases and the concepts of basic and advanced searching, limiting search results, stop words, and provide them with the basics that they need to search a variety of electronic resources successfully. To successfully complete this tutorial, a student will score at least 8 out of 10 on the quiz at the end.

Measurable Objectives

Upon completing this tutorial, students will be able to:

• define what a database is
• identify various ways to limit their search
• construct a search using truncation, Boolean operators, and/or phrase searching
• define what stop words are
• identify the difference between keyword and subject searching
  

 

Begin Tutorial

 

Relevant ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education:

• 2. The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.
• 2.2.d. Constructs a search strategy using appropriate commands for the information retrieval system selected (e.g. Boolean operators, truncation, and proximity for search engines; internal organizers such as indexes for books.)
• 2.2.e. Implements the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages, protocols, and search parameters.