Assignment 9: Search Strings

The database I chose to use along with the Academic Search Premier was Alt HealthWatch. However, I received the most relevant and best results for my topic from the Academic Search Premier. I was able to narrow down my topic in both databases using a few different tips. I added a row to make my search string longer and more specific. I also used OR, AND, and * to include all words that I was looking for. I could also have chosen to select a field but I chose not to. Lucky for me, my first search sting was successful and received quite a few results that I was able to work with. I received 113 articles on the Academic Search Premier while only 68 for Alt HealthWatch. 35 articles were available in full test for Alt HealthWatch and 28 for Academic Search Premier. 47 were available through FindIt in other databases and 11 were available in print and the Miller Center. However, only 2 were not available at all and required an ILL request. So far my research question hasn't really changed. I have been able to find words that get the best results for my topic that I haven't had to do much with changing my research question. My biggest challenge I have encountered in composing a research question has been getting started. I was unsure of what direction I wanted to go with my research question since it is such a "touchy" and I didn't know much about the population. I think I overcame this challenge by doing a lot of research and finding a topic that I am interested in.

Your Population

I have found a lot of good information on cocaine and the effects it can have on the body. It is because of this information that my assumptions have changed some. I am more aware of how addictive it can become. Having never done drugs or any substance that can lead to addiction myself, I could not put myself in the situation where cocaine could take over my life. But after reading stories about people who have, I have a better understanding for it. A question that I have now about my population is what kind of rehab facilities are available for people who have been addicted for so long. Although this doesn't directed related to my project, I became curious as to the different types of rehabs after doing some much research on cocaine and how it destroys lives.

So far I have mainly come up with a lot of facts that will support my research project. I have found some stories that will also come in handy too. I have even found pictures of people that show the physical effects of cocaine after just a few years of using.

Encyclopedia vs Wikipedia

After learning about encyclopedias in class and doing a little research of my own, I realized there are both pros and cons when it comes to using encyclopedias and Internet sources like Wikipedia. To start off, encyclopedias are very reliable. They have been edited, revised, and edited again. The information is as current as the encyclopedia's publishing date. The information also comes from people who are very educated and knowledgeable on the subject. They know their stuff! However, there are some cons when it come to encyclopedias. Encyclopedias can be very biased. Only information that the publisher and editor want to see are present in the books themselves. As Professor Wexelbaum showed, a whole section or population of information could be missing based off of the companies preference.

Wikipedia is a search engine that I still have mixed feelings about. My high school teachers drilled into my head that Wikipedia is not a reliable source and never to use it when writing papers. I can see positives and negatives on both sides of it. As for the pros, there seems be information on any topic on everything imaginable. Wikipedia has it all! However, the problem with Wikipedia is that anyone could write information about the subject no matter their creditability on it. I can remember my teacher bringing up multiple searches that had misinformation on the subject.

I am actually having problems location print encyclopedias and E-encyclopedias on my subject. I'm not sure if I am looking in the right spot, or using the wrong words, or if there are none available on my topic, but I plan on asking Professor Wexelbaum for help next class period.

Finally, I would have to say that using Wikipedia is more appropriate in my research presentation at this time because I have yet to locate an encyclopedia. Wikipedia had a lot of information on my subject that I thought was very useful. I was definitely able to find information that I can put into my research presentation project.