Introduction

This is a facile, short-hand summary of the entire search process. It is intended to be no more than a suggested outline, as we all find our own ways to what works best for us.

Reference Interview

• This should be objective, using non-judgemental, non-leading language. How many times have you heard that before?
• Learn all the relevant subject concepts. This may take a bit of work to get all the relevant information out of the client.
• Narrow the search concepts to the precise information need.

State the Information Question

• If possible, the information need should be stated as a simple question or declarative sentence.
• For example: "What are the major cause(s) of eye infections in domesticated iguanas?"

Selecting the Most Appropriate Databases

• Use DIALINDEX (File 411) to find out in which databases the search terms are most common.
• Use DIALOG Finder files to target databases if company names (File 416), journal titles (File 414), or product codes (File 413) are important to the search.
• Use the DIALOG Catalog to assess the focus of possible databases.

Planning the Search

• Identifying the major concepts of the information question.
• Looking at possible synonyms. (Don't forget the Library of Congress Subject Headings - LCSH.)
• Look at word variants, using wild cards / truncation to account for them.
• Look at term variants or alternative spellings through the use of the Expand command, which will produce an alphabetical list of terms before, after, and beginning with the term that you entered.
• Use Booleans (logical connectors) to link concepts.
• Use Proximity Connectors (w, n) to search for phrases as well as words that are likely to be in close proximity to each other.
• Use not to exclude non-relevant concepts.

Evaluating the Search (Search Analysis)

• Often a search fails, even for the most skilled and experienced professional searcher.
• What you need to do is analyze what went wrong, learn from it, and create an improved search statement.