I performed the 4 search techniques on the 4 stated databases, using the following search query: Microbiology resources in university libraries.
The results of each search technique/database and the results/hits of items retrieved are stated below.
Topic: Microbiology resources in university libraries.
1. Database used: Eric; Search technique applied: building block.
Summarization of results/hits retrieved:
Various concept words were applied to my topic/query entry. These included : microbiology materials, microbiology books, microbiology magazines, microbiology journals-in print form/electronic form; online microbiology databases, microbiology online tutorial programs- for labs/lectures, and biology databases. Concept words used for university libraries, which were limited, included: 4-year universities, 2-year universities, on-line universities, and virtual libraries; these concept terms were paired with the microbiology concept terms, mentioned previously.
Query entries: microbiology tutorial programs AND university libraries retrieved, 51-100 of 157, 102, (pages 1-5 and next); many results/hits, which were unrelated to microbiology; microbiology resources AND 4-year universities retrieved, 1-50 of 63,709, (pages 1-5 and next); many of these results/hits, were also unrelated to microbiology; microbiology resources AND 2-year universities retrieved, 1-50 of 68,413, (pages 1-5 and next) of many unrelated results/hits; only 2 articles/hits related to my query entry/topic.
Query entries: to narrow my results, I typed in biology databases AND virtual libraries and retrieved 1-50 of 51800, (pages 1-5 and next); out of all the listed results, I narrowed my results even more, based my retrieved results/hits ; only 2, results/hits of greater relevance, were selected from my query entry/topic; these articles were entitled: On Campus or out of Town: How Publishing On-line Tutorials can Help Your Patrons; and the other article was entitled: Designing Blended Inquiry Learning in a Laboratory Context: A Study of Incoporating Hands-On-and Virtual; microbiology resources AND 2-year university libraries retrieved 68,413 results/hits, many which were unrelated to my topic/query entry and more related to improved teaching abilities/strategies for teachers; however, I retrieved one result/hit from the previous query entry, entitled: Teaching Undergraduates to Think Like Scientist.
Query entries: microbiology databases AND university libraries retrieved only one result/hit, using the building block search technique; it was entitled: The Future of Online Services to Faculty: A Pilot Project wit CAS Online;microbiology books AND university libraries retrieved only 2 articles/ results/hits, entitled: Collection Description and Assessment in ARL Libraries. SPEC Kit 87; the other article is entitled: Undergraduate Medical Education and the Elective System; Experience with the Duke Curriculm, 1966-75.
2. Database used: Worldcat; Search Technique applied: citation pearl growing
Summarization of Results/hits retrieved:
For the citation pearl growing search technique, I did not apply concept words/terms, as I did previously, with the building block technique; I used the two terms, microbiology resources as query entries.
Query Entry: microbiology resources, retrieved 880 (English 862) results/hits related to entry; I narrowed my results based on relevance of query entry, and stated 4 online resources available to microbiology students, these included: http://www.virtual/ library.Microbiology & Virology, one " main pearl" out of the search which led to others, such as: Medline, World of Microbiology and Immunology, and the American Society of Microbiology (AMS) Journals-published in the last 12 months (1 year).
3. Database used: Jstor; Search Technique applied: specific facet first
Summarization of Results/hits retrieved:
For the specific facet first search technqiue, I didn't apply concept words/terms, instead I entered/typed in specficially, my desired query entry.
Query entry: microbiology resources available in university libraries. retrieved, 1-25 of 1,669 results/hits. A basic search was performed, based on journals based on the discipline, which was biology; 3 journal volumes/hits were retrieved as being the most important, out of the remainder of hits/results; these included: Introducing Biology Students to Library Reference resources- The American Biology Teacher, (Vol49, 1938-2007); Selected List of Reference Books in Microbiology, (same as previous journal volume); BioScience: Weaving the Web into Biology Teaching, (Vol. 14-53, 2004-2007); and Scientific Teaching, (2004-2009).
4. Database used: Project Muse; Search Technique applied: browsing
Summarization of Results/hits retrieved:
In Project Muse, I was unable to retrieve many related results/hits, using the browsing options available. For instance, the Browse journals by title and Browse journals by discipline icons retrieved very little information on microbiology resources and libraries; the Browse journals by discipline contained information on Science, Medicine & Health, but it didn't have any, if very little, unrelated information on microbiology; for instance, it had information on history of microbiology or microscopy. The article searh proved more successful than the browse options.
Query Entry: microbiology resources, retrieved 1-10 of 17 results/hits, only 4 out of all 17 were considered the most relevant and important to my query entry. These articles/hits included: Information Use by Ph.D. Students in Agriculture and Biology: A Dissertation Citation Analysis (2008); The Changing College and University Library Market for the University Press Books and Journals (1997-2004); Master's and Doctoral Thesis Citations: Analysis and Trends of a Longitudinal Study (2003); Study in Immunology and Microbiology: Publishing Research Consortium (2006) ....and like electronic resources and most readily adopt them only if the....250 more on serials in 2002, then 1986, but the number of ....Association of Research Libraries.
