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Learning how to search an Electronic Database

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Overview of Search Strategy 1.Select a topic 2.Identify correct concepts, lay terms and technical terms to describe the topic 3.Link technical terms/keywords with or to identify additional similar technical terms/subject headings 4.Repeat step 1-3 until all are defined 5.Link technical terms/subject terms with and to find common results 6.Evaluate, understand and save results Debowski, S., Bandura, A., Wood, R. (2001)

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Instructors Research Topic Demonstration Research Topic/Question: How to train leadership skills Main concepts Training Leadership

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Students Research Topic Students Topic How to train your chosen skill Possible chosen skills: self-monitoring OR self-esteem OR attitudes toward authority or social skills or self control

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Next Steps in Search Strategy 1.Select a topic 2.Identify correct technical terms to describe the topic How to access database Database generated Debowski, S., Bandura, A., Wood, R. (2001)

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How to Access PsycInfo Database From the UTSC library website: http://utsc.library.utoronto.ca On the Search for Articles tab, select the topic Psychology, click onto Go (Note: this is the first step of the research process for any research paper you may have) Select PsycInfo (the first one) Differences between on-campus vs. off- campus access

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UTSC Librarys Website For Demo: Search for Articles tab, select the topic Psychology, click on Go, and select PsycInfo

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Retrieving the Database on campus You will be connected to PsycInfo directly

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Retrieving the database off campus If you are off campus, you will be brought to a screen like this: Step 1: Click on Connect to this resource

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Retrieving the database off campus Step 2: Select one of two options

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Summary of what we did so far: From the UTSC library website: http://utsc.library.utoronto.ca Under Search for Articles tab, select the topic Psychology, click Go, and then select PsycInfo Differences between on-campus vs. off- campus access

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Screen when logged into PsycInfo

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Next steps in Search Strategy 1.Select a topic 2.Identify correct technical terms to describe the topic How to access database How to get technical terms/subject headings from database?

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Go to the Thesaurus by clicking on the Thesaurus link

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Getting Technical Terms/Subject Headings by Using the Thesaurus 1) select a display option to display results Begins With Subject headings displayed alphabetically 2) type in lay terms/keywords (e.g. training) & click Find

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Screen after typing in a keyword in Thesaurus Click on the subject headings with [+] to show more related subject terms

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Exploring the results of your search in Thesaurus to get more Technical Terms click on training (motivation) to get more specific search terms

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Check off all Relevant keywords to describe topic and use OR & click add to search

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Do the same for the other concept Instructors other concept is Leadership

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Students do the same for own topic Generate a list of technical terms relevant to your topic Use the PsycInfo worksheet to help organize your keywords/lay terms

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