Database Searching Competencies

As a high school English teacher I have seen that those students who are recreational readers are often the same students who write well, perform well on standardized tests, and demonstrate good comprehension skills. I have struggled with motivating my students to “read for fun.” I have attempted the usual incentives: bonus points, book/discussion clubs, field trips, book talks by authors, role-modeling, filling my classroom with books, etc. As a secondary school librarian I see, as one of my primary roles, as a motivater who can open books for students. For my first database search I will use the following:
Query: What are some strategies for the high school librarian to motivate teen readers to motivational reading?

Building Block Search in LibLit

S1: “secondary school library” or “high school library”
Yield: 183 results

S2: “recreational reading”
Yield: 42 results

S3: motivate or encourage or support
Yield: 6296

S1 + S2 + S3 = NO results

Not sure that LibLit was the best database (I chose it because I was looking for research based data and academic type articles.)

Same search in ERIC Internet: No results found.

So, obviously, there must be something wrong with my search.

Altered search terms, stayed with ERIC Internet as database.

S1: "high school" or "secondary school"
Yield: 113,746 results

S2: "recreational reading" or "pleasure reading"
Yield: 1350 results

S3: support or encourage or support
Yield: 122,255 results

S1 + S2 + S3 = 21 results

First Hit:

Author(s): Wilson, Janell D.; Casey, Linda H. Source: Reading Improvement, v44 n1 p40-49 Spr 2007

Pub Date: 2007-00-00 Pub Type(s): Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive Peer-Reviewed: Yes

Descriptors:
Video Games; Recreational Reading; Middle School Students; High School Students; Computers; Student Motivation; Reading Motivation; Reading Habits; Gender Differences

Abstract:
In an age where multi-media, such as video games and computer generated games, are consuming the lives of young adults, students are reading fewer novels and engaging less in recreational reading activities. Because of the ever-changing diverse student population teachers are searching for ways to be competitive motivators. Today, teachers need to know what students are doing outside of the classroom to better motivate students in the classroom. Do middle school and high school students read for pleasure? If so, what are they reading and how much time to they spend reading independently? If we can better understand the recreational reading patterns of secondary students then perhaps we can increase their tendency to read. This article will address reported research and discussion on the recreational reading patterns of secondary students. …

Reflections: When using the building block search strategy, I find I am having a bit of difficulty when I attempt to be very specific. Synonyms are important in this technique.

Citation-Pearl Growing Search in WorldCat

Query: How can libraries best serve teens?

I found the pearl in a building block search in ERIC Internet.

Teens and Libraries and Getting it Right by Virginia A. Walter and Elaine E. Meyers

I pulled the book up in WorldCat to begin my pearl building.

The additional subject headings:

I used the links to "descriptors" for the pearl builder.
SUBJECT (S)
Descriptor: Young adults' libraries--United States
Libraries and teenagers--United States
Teenagers--United States--Books and reading
Young adult services libraries--United States

Yield: link (Teenagers--United States--Books and reading) yielded 230 results.The first four hits:

1. Best Books for Young Adults
Author: Carter, Betty, 1944-; Estes, Sally.; Waddle, Linda L.
Publication: Chicago, IL : American Library Association, 2000
Document: English : Book

2. Comics to Classics: A Parent's Guide to Books for Teens and Preteens
Author: Reed, Arthea J. S.
Publication: Newark, Del. : International Reading Association, 1988
Document: English : Book

3. More Rip-Roaring Reads for Reluctant Teen Readers
Author: Ammon, Bette DeBruyne.; Sherman, Gale W. Publication: Englewood, Colo : Libraries Unlimited, 1999
Document: English : Internet Resource Computer File

4. Guides to Collection Development for Children and Young Adults

Author: Gillespie, John Thomas, 1928-; Folcarelli, Ralph J. Publication: Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1998
Document: English : Internet Resource Computer File

Conclusions: I find that I favor the citation-pearl growing search technique because it allows me to combine strategies. I can use building block to locate a result that best informs my query and then use that as a pearl. A pearl often turns on the switch that I just couldn’t find using a thesaurus or attempting to generate my own search terms. My search was successful.

Specific Facet Search in LEXISNEXIS

For this search I used the following query: What are the reading habits of teen readers?

Database: LEXISNEXIS

I used as the specific facet: “teen readers”

Yield: 41 results (very interesting and relevant)

Conclusions: The specific facet search strategy works beautifully if the researcher wants a specific study or, as the name implies, as very specific piece of information. The search for the specific facet “teen reader” yielded good results and some very interesting finds. I wouldn’t have normally searched LEXIS for this topic but I was pleasantly surprised.

Successive Fractions Search in Academic Search Complete

For this search, I decided to go in another direction. When I taught high school English, I often took my students to the library when we started the curriculum directed “senior research paper.” Often the experience was frustrating. I can still hear my voice, “It is important that you understand how to research and translate that research into articulate prose. Next year you will be college students. No one will be there to hold you hand.” I went on and on and then I held their hand and took them step by step through the process. I’m not sure if that is the correct approach; I’m fairly certain it isn’t. I would like to explore the subject of how the high school librarian can help students prepare for college level research.

Query: What are strategies for the secondary school librarian to help students prepare for college level research (and writing)?

S1: “high school” or “secondary school”

Yield: 140319 results

SEARCH WITHIN RESULTS

added "library research"

Yield: 21 results

Good Hit:

Title:

My Senior Is Your First-Year Student.

Authors:

Donham, Jean¹ jdonham@cornellcollege.edu

Source:

Knowledge Quest; Sep/Oct2003, Vol. 32 Issue 1, p32-32, 1p

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

*INFORMATION literacy
*ACADEMIC librarians
*HIGH school librarians

Abstract:

Focuses on a session involving college librarians and high school library media specialists on how to design and deliver an information literacy program. Aspects of information literacy which will be discussed during the session; Examples of K-16 cooperative efforts; Strategies for responding to the issues of scheduling instruction; Creation of quality assignments for library research.

Conclusions: In the final result, (after two fractions—but I had several sources that informed my query and so that was my STOP), I found a couple of interesting results—one very specific article that would be a great “pearl.” (“My Senior is Your First-Year Student”) It showed up in the middle of the results list. Starting with a very broad topic allows the searcher to look at results and find a relevant record and examine it for keywords to narrow the search. Obviously, this approach works well when you want to cast a big net and are not quite sure exactly where your research may be leading. I often resort to this when I find myself being too specific (which I’m discovering as I learn these search techniques is a weakness).