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Explain how the database thesaurus will help the student resolve this search issue. In your explanation, identify what the thesaurus provides and give a specific example of how a broad search term can be refined using this tool based on the database's features.
Case context: A student in an undergraduate research methods class is searching for literature on memory in the PsycINFO database. They enter the broad search term 'memory' and find that the database returns an overwhelming number of records, making it impossible to manually screen them. They decide to use the database's built-in thesaurus tool.
Question: Explain how the database thesaurus will help the student resolve this search issue. In your explanation, identify what the thesaurus provides and give a specific example of how a broad search term can be refined using this tool based on the database's features.
Sample answer: The database thesaurus helps the student by allowing them to find more specific, standardized index terms to replace their broad search term. For example, entering the broad search term 'memory' into the thesaurus would suggest several narrower, more specific index terms, such as 'early memories'. Selecting a specific index term like 'early memories' allows the student to narrow their search results to a manageable number of highly relevant articles instead of a massive, unorganized set of records.
Key points:
- Recognizes that the initial search term 'memory' is too broad
- Explains that the thesaurus recommends specific standardized index terms
- Gives 'early memories' as an example of a more specific index term
- Illustrates how narrowing the search helps retrieve highly relevant articles
Rubric: The response should: 1) Explain that the thesaurus provides more specific, standardized index terms. 2) Detail how this reduces the overwhelming number of records. 3) Use a concrete example, such as transitioning from the broad term 'memory' to the more specific index term 'early memories'.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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