This assignment on database searching will help you prepare for your first perspectives paper. It is recommended that you complete this assignment first. This assignment will help you refine your database search based on your research questions for the mathematical/analytical perspective of inquiry. (You are not required to complete this document for the scientific perspective of inquiry, but you may choose to do so for your own purposes.) Complete either worksheet format below and submit it to Blackboard for grading.
Database searching is a crucial aspect of conducting research in today’s digital age. Being able to effectively search and retrieve relevant information from databases can greatly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of a research project. In this assignment, we will explore the process of database searching and how it can be applied to the mathematical/analytical perspective of inquiry.
The first step in conducting a successful database search is to clearly define the research questions or objectives. This will help guide the search and ensure that the retrieved results are relevant to the topic of interest. In the mathematical/analytical perspective, the research questions often involve quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, or mathematical algorithms. For example, a research question in this perspective could be: “What is the impact of different optimization algorithms on the performance of a machine learning model?”
Once the research questions are defined, the next step is to identify the most appropriate databases to search. In the mathematical/analytical perspective, relevant databases may include academic journals, conference proceedings, or specialized databases that focus on mathematical modeling or data analysis. It is important to choose databases that are reputable and have a strong focus on the specific research area.
After selecting the databases, it is necessary to develop a search strategy. This involves determining the appropriate keywords and search terms to use when querying the databases. The choice of keywords should be based on the research questions and the specific terminology used in the field. In our example, keywords could include “optimization algorithms,” “machine learning,” and “performance evaluation.”
The search strategy should also consider the use of Boolean operators to combine keywords and refine the search results. Boolean operators such as “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT” can be used to connect different search terms and specify the relationship between them. For instance, using the search string “optimization algorithms AND machine learning” will retrieve articles that contain both of these terms, narrowing down the search to more relevant results.
Additionally, it is important to consider truncation and wildcard symbols when formulating the search strategy. Truncation involves using an asterisk (*) to search for variations of a keyword. For example, using the term “optimiz*” will retrieve articles that contain words like “optimization,” “optimize,” or “optimizing.” Wildcards, on the other hand, are used to represent one or more characters in a search term. For example, the term “wom*n” will retrieve articles that contain both “woman” and “women.”
After formulating the search strategy, it is time to execute the search and retrieve the results. Many databases provide advanced search options that allow for further customization of the search. This includes specifying the publication year range, language, or type of document, among others. By utilizing these options, researchers can further refine their search results to meet their specific requirements.
Upon retrieving the results, it is crucial to critically evaluate the relevance and quality of the articles or publications. This can be done by reviewing the abstracts, keywords, and titles of the retrieved articles. It is important to note that not all articles may be directly applicable to the research questions, and that further filtering and selection may be necessary to identify the most relevant publications.
In conclusion, conducting an effective database search is a critical skill for researchers in the mathematical/analytical perspective of inquiry. It involves defining clear research questions, selecting appropriate databases, formulating a search strategy, executing the search, and critically evaluating the retrieved results. By following these steps, researchers can efficiently retrieve relevant information and enhance the quality of their research projects.