Academic Search Strategy Bootcamp (Cross-Database)

Description

* Description: This bootcamp teaches a disciplined approach to academic discovery across multiple databases without paying for dashboards. You will learn how to structure questions into concepts, synonyms, and variants before a single query is run. Hands-on lessons show Boolean logic, fielded search (title, abstract, author), phrase control, and wildcards with careful truncation rules. You will practice translating a strategy between Google Scholar, PubMed, Crossref, IEEE Xplore, and DOAJ without losing meaning. A module on controlled vocabularies demonstrates MeSH, Emtree, and subject headings, and when free-text terms outperform them. Time-bounding and language filters are used to narrow to the most relevant windows without introducing bias. Alert setup and saved searches keep a topic updated quietly in the background, with a weekly review cadence. A deduplication pass shows how to merge exports from multiple sources so spreadsheets don’t inflate counts. You will produce a final search log that records sources, strings, and rationales so others can reproduce your work. Ethics and citation hygiene are emphasized so attributions remain correct when you copy results into notes or briefs. The outcome is a clean, repeatable strategy you can adapt in minutes to a neighboring topic.

* Format: Screencasts, query worksheets, vocabulary quick cards, export/dedup templates, and a search log example.
* Duration: 2 hours of instruction plus 45 minutes of drills.
* What You’ll Learn: Boolean and fielded search, vocabulary vs. free text, cross-database translation, alerts, and deduplication.
* Target Audience: Students, analysts, and researchers who need reliable, reproducible academic searches.