MIT 144F
Week5: Introduction to Database Searching.

Week 5 - Lecture Notes

1. Issues in Access to Information

1. What is the main difference between a catalogue and a database?
2. It is important to understand the structure of information stored in catalogues and databases.
3. How is the information in catalogues and databases structured?
4. In addition, knowing how information is structured has an impact on how catalogues and databases are searched.

2. Known Item Searching

• Known item searches are performed typically in OPACs. This occurs when you know the author or title (or both) of a book or the title of a journal. You search for the item in the OPAC using what known information you have in order to locate that item.
• Sometimes, known item searching is done in databases in order to complete a citation for a bibliography or to verify that the reference is correct. You perform the search with known information from the database (e.g., author, title keywords, journal source information).

3. Controlled Vocabulary vs Natural Language Searching

1. What is controlled vocabulary?
2. What is the purpose of using controlled vocabularly and how does it differ from natural language?
3. Examples of controlled vocabularly terms.

4. OPAC Search Basics

• Use these suggestions in order to effectively search the OPAC.

5. Database Search Tactics

• These database tactics are useful for databases in general, however they do include features that are specific to SilverPlatter's ERL (Electronic Reference Library).

6. Problems in the Retrieval of Information

• Consider this list of problems associated with the retrieval of information from catalogues and databases.

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