Search Strategy Quiz: Right Search Terms Test!

1. You are writing a paper about domestic violence in homes with young children. Complete the following search string: domestic violence _____ children

AND

OR

NOT

Because you want articles that talk about BOTH domestic violence and children, you need to combine the terms with AND.

Explanation

Because you want articles that talk about BOTH domestic violence and children, you need to combine the terms with AND.

2. You are writing a paper about preventing obesity in children, but you don't want articles that discuss adults at all. Complete the following search string: prevention AND obesity AND children ______ adults

AND

OR

NOT

To exclude any content about adults uses the term NOT. Note: this will also exclude content that discusses what happens when obese children become adults, how adults affect their children and any other way the discussion of children's obesity could be related to adults. This will reduce the number of articles your search will return.

Explanation

To exclude any content about adults uses the term NOT. Note: this will also exclude content that discusses what happens when obese children become adults, how adults affect their children and any other way the discussion of children's obesity could be related to adults. This will reduce the number of articles your search will return.

3. You are writing a paper on the topic of non-parents bonding with the children they care for. You've used the thesaurus to come up with a few terms related to "non-parents." How would you combine the following terms so that your results will include any of the following types of the caregiver? nanny_______ babysitter_______ care-giver _______ governess _______ au pair

AND

OR

NOT

Only using OR will ensure that an article containing ANY of the terms above will be returned. Note: if using the database's thesaurus does not help you generate more terms, try an online thesaurus like www.thesaurus.com

Explanation

Only using OR will ensure that an article containing ANY of the terms above will be returned. Note: if using the database's thesaurus does not help you generate more terms, try an online thesaurus like www.thesaurus.com

4. Which of the following concepts are more general than the term "toddlers"?

Infants

3-year-olds

Pre-schoolers

Children

"Infants" are a different category than "toddlers", while "3-year-olds" and "pre-schoolers" are smaller categories of types of "toddlers." A more general term to describe toddlers is "children."

Explanation

"Infants" are a different category than "toddlers", while "3-year-olds" and "pre-schoolers" are smaller categories of types of "toddlers." A more general term to describe toddlers is "children."

5. Which of the following is more narrow than the term "disorder"?

Problem

Autism

Health

Injury

"autism" is the only term in the list that describes a narrower category or type of disorder.

Explanation

"autism" is the only term in the list that describes a narrower category or type of disorder.

6. You have chosen the topic "the effects of teacher support on the development of children's social skills." How do you break down the concepts to perform a database search?

Effects of teacher support, children's development skills, social

Effects, teacher, support, development, children, social, skills

Effects, teacher support, development, children, social skills

Teacher developing support, effects on children, social skills

Option C breaks down the terms into the smallest meaningful concept groups.

Explanation

Option C breaks down the terms into the smallest meaningful concept groups.

7. If you were doing research on the effects of sleep deprivation on children's behavior, what should you enter in the database search box?

Effects of sleep deprivation on children's behavior

Sleep, deprivation, children's, behavior

Sleep deprivation AND children AND behavior AND effects

Sleep OR children AND behavior AND effects

Option C uses the term "sleep deprivation" and includes the concepts of children, behavior, and effects.

Explanation

Option C uses the term "sleep deprivation" and includes the concepts of children, behavior, and effects.

8. If the search terms you chose are not returning good results, what would you do to expand your search? (check all that apply)

Use the thesaurus in the database to find similar terms

Read an encyclopedia article about your subject and use terms from the article

Restart your computer and try again

Check the spelling of the terms you have used

All the options except for restarting your computer will usually give you insight into creating better search terms. Rebooting your computer will not help in this situation.

Explanation

All the options except for restarting your computer will usually give you insight into creating better search terms. Rebooting your computer will not help in this situation.

Submit