Searching 101 > 2: Decide How To Search

2A: Two Ways To Search

The two most common methods of searching in online sources are by:

SUBJECT How: Using standard terms or subject headings that have been identified by an editor to represent the main focus of a document. Where: Library catalogs, article databases and some other Web databases. KEYWORD How: Using words that may occur somewhere in a document, such as the title, description (abstract) or full-text of the resource itself. Where: Library catalogs, article databases, Web search engines (like Google).

2B: About Subject Searching

- - - CHARACTERISTICS

Efficiency:

Subject searching is:

• precise -- a good way to find relevant information regardless of the varying terminology that different authors may use to describe a topic.
• efficient -- a method for finding useful information without wasting time.

Best Use:

Use this method when your research topic is broad (such as substance abuse) or ambiguous (such as Columbus -- do you need information about a city in Ohio or Christopher Columbus?)

Requirements:

You must translate your search concepts into the subject vocabulary used by the database. Sometimes it is difficult to identify the correct subject terms. Also, the terms that work in one database may not be used by another (as shown below), so you should check the subject list (thesaurus) for the database you are using.

Database:	Thesaurus:	Subject Heading:
Library Catalog	Library of Congress Subject Headings	substance abuse
Medline	Medical Subject Headings	substance-related disorders
PsycINFO	Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms	drug abuse

- - - EXAMPLE: Browse the Subject List

In most databases that include subject headings, you can browse or search for a subject and retrieve a list of subject headings that match your search words. The subject display may also show: narrower terms (tobacco habit) related terms (drug testing) Be sure to browse the related terms and use them to focus your search.

2C: About Keyword Searching

- - - CHARACTERISTICS

Efficiency:

Keyword searching is:

• less precise -- won't distinguish between different meanings. For example, if you want information about Turkey (the country), you will probably also find resources about turkey (the bird) mixed together in the results of a keyword search.
• less efficient -- it will find more results for you to sift through, and many may not be relevant.

Best Use:

Use keyword searching when your research topic is specific (such as substance abuse during pregnancy) or not much has been written on it.

You can also use keyword searching to identify subject headings in some databases. Skim results returned by a keyword search and find an item that looks useful. Then use a subject heading from that item in a subject search to find more information on your research topic.

Requirements:

You must construct a search statement if using more than one keyword. Your statement will use operators to connect search words. Various operators produce different effects. (This topic is covered in detail on the next page of this tutorial.)

- - - EXAMPLE: Keyword Search

The illustration shows a record found by a search in an article database for the keywords: substance abuse pregnancy substance abuse was found in both the journal title and the subject heading. pregnancy was found in another subject heading. Notice that you can click on the subject headings at the bottom of this record to move from a keyword search into a subject search.

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