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Define a database index term and describe its primary function when conducting a literature search in an academic database.
Question: Define a database index term and describe its primary function when conducting a literature search in an academic database.
Sample answer: A database index term is a standardized phrase assigned to an academic database record to categorize the content of a publication. Its primary function is to help researchers locate relevant literature consistently, regardless of the specific, non-standardized keywords the original authors used in their papers.
Key points:
- A database index term is a standardized phrase assigned to academic database records.
- It categorizes the content of a publication.
- It helps researchers consistently locate relevant literature.
- It functions independently of the specific keywords chosen by the original authors.
Rubric: The answer must define a database index term as a standardized phrase used for categorization of database records, and explain its function in providing consistency in literature searches despite variations in author keywords.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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