Choose a topic to experiment searching with. If you're not sure what to use, use 'epigenetics' and complete the following steps:
Padlet activity
- Use Credo Reference and search for 'epigenetics.'
- Identify 5-10 keywords that you could use to start researching or learning more about this topic.
- List out those keywords in Padlet. Include synonyms or different facets of this topic that you find in your exploration of Credo Reference.
- Now, try searching for 'epigenetics' in Medline. What do your search results looks like?
- Experiment using different keyword combinations. How does this change your search?
- Experiment filtering your results -- use the date and source type filter to modify your results.
- Try to find a secondary source on this topic. Remember, a secondary source secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. Assess the related source using one component of the source assessment that is not the publication date. Which component did you use? Did it pass the assessment? Why or why not?
Other search strategies to experiment with:
- Run an overly broad search. How many results do you have?
- Use filters to limit results to the past five years, and include only magazine source types. How many results do you have now?
- Now, run a search using a synonym or similar term to your initial search. How do the results compare?
- Narrow that same search down by using the advanced search feature and two or more search terms. How many results do you have now? How to the results compare?
