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    INT-244 World Religions: Judaism

    Researching in Library Databases

    Library databases do not work like general web search engines, such as Google.

    Instead, they work based on Keyword Searchingand Boolean Logic. 

    • Keywordsmeans just the main terms you are looking for.
      • Do:
        • Stick to nouns or terms.
        • Check your spelling.
        • Start with one term and then add more if you get too many results.
      • Don't:
        • Enter questions or whole sentences.
    • Boolean Logicis a way of combining terms and telling the database how you want them to be related to each other.

    What Keywords Should You Use to Search for Sources on Judaism?

    • The term by itself, when searching reference sources like Credo Reference.
      • Judaism
    • Different sources may use different terms for the same concept. You can use OR in a search to search multiple terms at the same time.
      • Judaism OR Jewish religion OR Jewish culture
    • The term combined with one other term to narrow down results.
      • Judaism AND beliefs
      • Judaism AND misconceptions 

    Boolean Operators in Action

    Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) can be typed into the search line with your search terms, like this: cat AND dog, cat OR dog, cat NOT dog.
    This image shows what it looks like in the database search box:

    You can also use the dropdown box the database has provided, and type a term (cat) in the first line, change the dropdown box to the Boolean term you want to use ( AND, OR, NOT ), and put your second term (dog) in the box beside the dropdown menu. This image shows what this technique looks like in the database search box:

     You can also combine the truncation technique with the Boolean operator. This image shows cat* AND dog* (truncated with the asterisk at the end of the root of your search term to include all possible endings for cat and dog).

    To broaden our search even more we can include synonyms, truncation, and Boolean operators. In this search we have searched for: [cat* or feline or kitten*] AND [dog or canine or pup*].

    Truncation In Action

    When you break your topic down to keywords, it's likely that there are many versions of that word. Including all of the possible versions will help make sure you find articles on that topic. This example shows multiple forms of the word leader (leader, leaders, leadership):

    Truncation means you shorten the word to the root, and replace the endings with an asterisk. In this example we have only the word leader*, and we will get the same results as before when we included all forms of that term.

    In this example, we are starting with multiple forms of the word nurse (nurse, nurses, nursing):

    And we can truncate the word to nurs* and get the same results:

    Recommended Library Databases

    We recommend starting with the portal, which provides a collection of resources about the religion.

    Types of Sources in Gale Databases

    For the religions in this class, we are linking directly to a topic portal. Several types of sources are available:

    • Primary sources, generally first hand accounts.
    • Reference book entries.
    • Academic journal articles.
    • Articles from magazines and newspapers.
    • Statistics.

    Reference book entries will generally be the best place to start. Three articles in each category will show on the main page. Click on the category to view all the articles.

    Article Information

    Each article lists important information:

    • The title, author, and what source the article originally came from.
    • If the article is peer-reviewed.
    • The date.
    • The word length and the reading level. Gale uses a star system in a colored box to indicate reading level, the fewer stars the easier an article is to read. Most academic articles will be at level four or five, while newspapers are usually written at level three.  

    Advanced Search in Gale Databases

    • To reach the advanced search, click the option under the search box at the top of the page.
    • Advanced search will allow you to use keywords to search.

    advanced search provides three search boxes and allows you to choose what field it searches in, as well as use OR AND or NOT

    • If you need more instructions on how search works, or how to use special features like wildcards, instructions are provided on the page.

    click on the search function to get an explanation of how it works

    • You can search just within a topic as well by using "Search Within Results".

    • You can set a date limit to ensure your search results are recent.

    Citing From Gale Databases

    Gale databases include a citation tool to help you cite the articles in it. As with other automatic citation tools, you will need to examine the computer generated citation against the format and rules on the Citing Sources Guide . Check for accuracy, especially in punctuation and capitalization.

    • Click "Cite" on the tools menu across the top of the article.

    • Change the citation format to APA 7th Edition.
    • Copy the citation and paste it into your document. Correct the formatting, checking for capitalization, italics, and correct links.
      • Gale's automatic citation tool will include a link at the end that will usually not be the correct link.
      • Click "Get Link" on the tool menu to get a correctly formatted permalink. Permalinks allow you to return directly to an article.
      • Look at the top of the article to find the DOI if there is one, the citation tool may leave it out. You may need to correct the formatting.

    Choose APA 7th edition for the format

    Using Credo Reference

    • Type a keyword into the search box.
    • At the top of your results will be an overview or summary article, and below that, entries from various works.

    the credo search page after searching poverty

    Mind Maps

    • You will find the Mind Map  on the right.
    • Use the Mind Map feature to brainstorm for ideas and new search terms. Click any term to change the map to center and focus on that term.

    Image of Mind Map ⇒Blown out Mind Map

    How to Cite Entries

    • Click on the citation option in the menu across the top.
    • Select APAfrom the pop-up menu.

    choose the format style you need from the list

    For a Persistent Link

    • Click on 'Copy Link' at the very top right of the page.
    • Copy and paste the provided link into your References page.

    page link provides the permalink

    Online Resources

    Online Infographic Makers

    These online makers all have free account versions. Most also include paid versions with more options, but the options in a free account are sufficient for what is expected in class assignments.

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