Competency 6: Database Search 2: Academic Search Complete using Building Block

Naïve Question: How does an education obtained from a public school education compare to a private school education?

Introduction: I chose to use this database for a building block search because it has a thesaurus and I can use a Boolean Statement. The database contains journals with full text and I wanted to complete a search to see if there were articles that pertain to my question. In my previous database search I found several books so I know there is material available.

First I will identify the facets of the question. I am going to have four facets by splitting up private and public school.

Facet 1: public school*

Facet 2: private school*

Facet 3: education

Facet 4: compar*

Next I will identify synonyms for each facet using the thesaurus.

Private school*: private schools, school choice

Public school*: public schools

Education: education-aims and objectives

Compar*: differences, comparison, comparative education

Now I will combine some of the facets and build my first Boolean search statement in hopes that I have a little success on my first try. I am going to use my original facets first and then move on to the synonyms as needed.

Private school* AND Public school* AND Education AND Compar*

The string will read: (private school*) AND (public school*) AND (education) AND (compar*)

SS1: (private school*) AND (public school*) AND (education) AND (compar*) = 6 results (SU subject terms search)

Wow!!! In a previous search with the same Boolean Statement I used the keyword search and received 0 results. Upon Dr. Perryman's suggestion I tried using a subject term search and BAM I have 6 results and of the six 2 are right on target.

O'Brien, R., & Pianta, R. (2010). Public and Private Schools: Do Classroom Processes Vary by School Type?. Elementary School Journal, 110(3), 409-419. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

Dronkers, J., & Robert, P. (2008). Differences in Scholastic Achievement of Public, Private Government- Dependent, and Private Independent Schools: A Cross-National Analysis. Educational Policy, 22(4), 541-577. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

Okay, because that seemed way too easy I am going to try another search using differ* instead of compar* in an SU search.

SS2: (private school*) AND (public school*) AND (education) AND (differ*) = 1 result (SU: subject terms search)

The one article did not pertain to my query. I am going to try one last search not using differ* or compar*. I am curious to see if I receive any different articles from my first search.

SS3: (private school*) AND (public school*) AND (education) = 293 results (SU: Subject terms search)

Of the results one of my previous selected articles is mentioned. Most of the first 20 I looked through did not address my query which supports my choice to use compare and differ to weed out unwanted or unneeded material.

Reflection: Oh my goodness! This was the most productive and quickest database search I have completed so far in my course. I have a feeling of success, which doesn't happen very often as I usually become frustrated with database searching and trying to configure just the right search statement and facets. I hope my level of success is also contributed to the fact that I have been practicing different search techniques including the building block. I enjoy using the Academic Search Complete database as it is very user friendly and has numerous journals that pertain to my topic of school librarian. After revising this search I understand the importance of attempting a subject terms search before using anything else such as a keyword or title search.

References:

Perryman, C. Four basic search strategies [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Module 6 notes Basic Search Techniques: http://online.twu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_204485_1%26url%3D