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Periodical Search Journal

The Periodical Research Journal provides a structured worksheet for students to conduct research on their semester topic using periodical databases. It guides users through keyword identification, search strategies, and logging relevant articles, including MLA references and database names. The document emphasizes the importance of using advanced search techniques to enhance the relevance of search results.

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BlacBoyy CaSh
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12 views4 pages

Periodical Search Journal

The Periodical Research Journal provides a structured worksheet for students to conduct research on their semester topic using periodical databases. It guides users through keyword identification, search strategies, and logging relevant articles, including MLA references and database names. The document emphasizes the importance of using advanced search techniques to enhance the relevance of search results.

Uploaded by

BlacBoyy CaSh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Periodical Research Journal

Periodical Research Journal


Please submit this completed worksheet.
Instructions
You are required to conduct research for your semester topic. This worksheet guides you through the
process of collecting research related to your topic using periodical databases to find information that
might be of value for your report
Step 1: After conducting your Internet Search, describe in plain language what you are searching for
your investigation:

Keyword Search Strategy Chart


Identify the keywords for your periodical database search and complete the Keyword Search Strategy
Chart after viewing the videos available in the Learning Resources:
 Videos: Database Search Techniques (Basic)
 Videos: Database Search Techniques (Indepth)

Step 2: Identify the main keywords in your description of your search and enter them in each row of the
Main Keywords column from most important to least important.

Step 3: In the cell beside the Main Keyword, enter any Similar Words that came up in your Internet
search or that you think might be used to describe what you are searching for.

Step 4: From the from the Main Keywords or Similar Words, identify any Exact Phrases are commonly
used phrases which should be searched together (by using quotation marks) to get meaningful results.

1. Main Keywords 2. Similar Words to the Main 3. Exact Phrases


Keywords

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Periodical Research Journal

Keyword Search Statement Exercise


1. use only Keywords, Similar Words and Exact Phrases
2. have Operators (e.g. AND / OR) between them to define how the search engine should search
these
This part of the journal asks you to demonstrate your understanding of how to conduct a keyword
search by creating 5 Keyword Search Statements in the chart below:

For your first Keyword Statement, enter your main keywords that you think are required to get
relevant results and place AND between them
 AND means that the words before AND after must be in the article you are searching
1
For your second Keyword Statement, replace one of your Main Keywords with a Similar Word
2
For your third Keyword Statement, use OR between one of your Main Keywords and a Similar
Word
 OR means that either the word before OR the word after must be in the article you are
searching
 Remember to place (brackets) around the words on either side of OR to separate them
from the AND operators
3
For your fourth Keyword Statement, create a Keyword Search Statement using an Exact
Phrase
4
For your fifth Keyword Statement, create a Keyword Search Statement different from the first
four that you think could return useful results related to the topic you are searching
5

Keyword Search Statements Instructions


Use different combinations of keyworks, similar words and exact phrases from your Keyword Search
Strategy Chart using operators to describe the relationship between each.
1. Enter your Keyword Search Statements into the search engine for periodicals (available through
access provided by your host college)
o Keep a record of all the searches you conduct in the Research Log below.
o Record each search statement you used for each of your searches, including Advanced
Search Operators.
2. Record the number of relevant results for each search.
o Note: You can limit your search using the advanced search options
o For example, limiting your search to article and peer-reviewed journals can help to focus
your search.
3. Copy the MLA Reference for all the relevant articles that you identify.
4. Indicate the Name of the database for each relevant article you identify.
o The name of the database is listed in the information about the article; the name of the
database is
 NOT the Library Service you used (they have merely purchased the license)
 NOT the provider of the database, e.g. PROQUEST, Gale or EBSCOhost

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Periodical Research Journal

Keyword Search Statements Research Log

Keyword Search Number of Copy the MLA Reference Name of


Statements Used Relevant for each relevant article Database for
Articles (in first each relevant
10 results) article

Relevant Search Results


Enter the information about the three best articles from your periodical database search.
NOTES: The name of the database is listed on the information about the article
 the name of the database is NOT the College Library (they have purchased the license) or
the supplier of the database (for example, EBSCOhost, PROQUEST and Gale.
This exercise asks you to record the 3 best articles from your search.
 While the purpose is to find information for your report, you do not necessarily have to use
the all the sources that you identify in your Internet Research Journal.

Article 1
Indicate the advanced search statement
that retrieved the article (with advanced
search techniques):
Relevance: Explain, in plain language, the
key points from the article (use an intext
citation from your reference) that might be
useful in your report:
 Intext Citations
Reference for the article:
 References

Article 2
Indicate the advanced search statement
that retrieved the article (with advanced
search techniques):
Relevance: Explain, in plain language, the
key points from the article (use an intext

3
Periodical Research Journal

Article 2
citation from your reference) that might be
useful in your report:
 Intext Citations
Reference for the article:
 References

Article 3
Indicate the advanced search statement
that retrieved the article (with advanced
search techniques):
Relevance: Explain, in plain language, the
key points from the article (use an intext
citation from your reference) that might be
useful in your report:
 Intext Citations
Reference for the article:
 References

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