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Spartan Savvy: Integrative Model for Information Literacy

Activities covering information literacy topics

Which Search Worked Best?

by Unknown User on 2018-05-07T17:00:00-04:00 | 0 Comments

Synopsis:

Students will practice using Boolean operators.

Activity Time:

50-75 Minutes

Learning Goals: 

Students will learn how to construct effective search strategies using Boolean operators.

Description/Lesson Plan:

  • Divide students into groups of two and give each group a research question. Questions should be discipline and subject specific.
  • Have students circle keywords from the question and write down any relevant terms or phrases that are associated with the question.
  • Show the How Library Stuff Works: Boolean Operators (AND OR NOT) video: https://youtu.be/bCAULDuMcso
  • Direct each group to write down at least three different search strategies for their research question.  Be sure to check-in with each group as they may have questions. Ask for some groups to share their search statements.
  • Direct groups to try their searches in Castleton OneSearch and evaluate the relevance of the results based on the article titles and abstracts.  Prompt students to identify which articles may be helpful in answering the question.
  • Ask the groups to report their findings to the class.

Resources and Attachments: 

Teaching Tips: 

Students could use their own research questions.  This activity could also be used as an opportunity to develop discipline-specific vocabulary (How would a researcher in this field describe this condition or topic?).

Topics and Concepts:


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