Search Terms
Below are two videos that provide some insight into how I conducted my search.
Finding the Search Terms
Finding the Library of Congress Subject Headings to identify Broad and Narrow Search Terms
Search Terms, LOC Subject Headings & Broad and Narrow SearchTerms
As I researched I found that much of the work in this field of study was written by Keith Curry Lance. I went to Google Scholar and searched Keith Curry Lance and discovered that one of his studies has been cited 250 times. This proved to be a good resource to use. Another prolific researcher was Ken Haycock and so I followed the same process with his name.
Another strategy that I found yielded good results was to review the references listed in any of the articles and then search for those. I found the annotated bibliographies particularly helpful.
Definitions of Search Terms
Teacher-librarian (TL) – is a certified teacher with additional training in librarianship. Other terms for the teacher-librarian include school librarian or school library media specialist (SLMS)
School library – A school library is a place both within a school and virtually where students, staff, and parents have access to a variety of resources. This can be a private or public school library. Another term for school library is school library media center.
Achievement – “the state or condition of having achieved or accomplished something”
Achievement. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/achievement online. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achievement
***It is important to note that achievement as referred to in many of the studies conducted on this topic focuses on the scores on standardized tests and according to Oberg (2002) this is a specific and narrow definition.
Oberg, D. (2002). Looking for the evidence: Do school libraries improve student achievement? School Libraries in Canada, 22(2), 10-13+. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/docview/222527406?accountid=14474
Student – “a person who attends a school”
Student. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/achievement online.
For purposes of this research student refers to elementary, middle or high school students.
Databases
I used the following databases:
ERIC (via Ebscohost) relevant to all areas within education. This database covers topics like curriculum and instruction in all subjects, philosophy and history and administration. Retrieved from http://www.library.ualberta.ca/databases/databaseinfo/index.cfm?ID=195
Helpful Features: easy to follow search tips, ability to select search options that include search modes and explanders and ability to limit your results by select scholarly (peer reviewed) for example
Proquest Education Journals over 700 top educational publications from 1991 to present and 600 of the titles in full text. Retrieved from http://www.library.ualberta.ca/databases/databasesubject_minor/index.cfm?fuseaction=minor&minorid=109
Helpful Features: easy to navigate, search tips, advanced search options that include a form and Boolean Operators like AND & OR allowing for more targeted results
LISA: Library & Information Science Abstracts Indexes and abstracts over 440 periodicals in the fields of library and information sciences Retrieved from http://www.library.ualberta.ca/databases/databaseinfo/index.cfm?ID=3111
Helpful Features: it uses the same interface as Proquest Education Journals
Library & Information Science Source covers all aspects of librarianship and information science, and provides comprehensive coverage of the history of library studies Retrieved from http://www.library.ualberta.ca/databases/databaseinfo/index.cfm?ID=3111
Helpful Features: it uses the same interface as ERIC (via Ebscohost)