Better Searching

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Reflect on best search strategy/statement for each resource.
Practice refining searches by changing terms, using limits and examining search construction.

NOTE: this movie is being revised to provide examples more appropriate to 110. Will be available on or about Sept. 1

Duration: 7 ½ minutes

Link: Better Searching/Plain Version (recommended for low bandwidth)

Better Searching/Narrated Version (recommended for high bandwidth)

Overview: Shows how to take one search and make it better. Examples are in Google, Academic Search, and library catalog.

Duration: 3 minutes

Link: (in development)

Overview: Shows how to limit searches in Academic Search Premier.

Pick one of the following activities based on how you are structuring the lesson.

Focus: Better Searching: The Art of Refining (Short)

Duration: 20-30 minutes for individual work. Add 15 minutes if you want them to share findings with a partner.

Overview: Students will use advanced search options in 3 research tools to refine searches they completed in "Searching 101" worksheet.

Use this short worksheet if this lesson is being conducted separately from the Good Search Statements lesson.

Focus: Better Searching: The Art of Refining (Long)

Duration: 35-45 minutes for individual work. Add 15 minutes if you would like to add a class discussion of findings.

Overview: Students will search, adjust searches, and refine their searches in 3 different research tools.

Use this long worksheet if this lesson is being integrated with Good Search Statements lesson.

Supplement: This sample screen shot document should be made available to students who wish to see examples of how these activities appear online.