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Objectives
Upon completion of this exercise, you should be able to:
Identify and define the problem, i.e., begin the process of transforming
an abstract problem into definable concept(s), which include:
The scope of the topic, i.e., the breadth and depth of information
required to satisfy the information requirement.
Appropriate criteria to direct the search process; i.e.,
What type of information is required?
For what purpose will it be used?
Who needs the information?
How much information is required by this person?
What form or limitations (if any) should be placed on the information to
fit this person's needs?
Identify appropriate databases as information sources and search them;
i.e., where is the information being sought most likely to be found (there may be several
likely databases that may hold the information identified in the first step)? Based
on the criteria identified by the previous step, which sources of information should/can
be accessed and searched?
Select multiple search terms and synonyms appropriate for the
database(s); i.e., what words or phrases best describe the core concepts defined in the
problem.
Construct search queries from the search terms and synonyms; i.e., how
do the search terms relate to each other in describing the core concepts defined in the
problem. What format does the information source require for the query(ies); i.e.,
the database may require that queries conform to a particular syntax.
Evaluate the items retrieved by the search query(ies); i.e., does the
information retrieved as result of the query(ies) satisfy the criteria identified at the
beginning of the process. Are you satisfied? What could be done to improve the
search process? If necessary, make changes and try again.
- Read the problem below carefully.
- You should begin by asking:
- What database is likely to contain bibliographic
citations of articles that would help Ozzie?
- What kind(s) of articles would be most appropriate?
Select an appropriate database to search.
- Your assignment is to find two appropriate
bibliographic citations. Create a document in your wordprocessing software in which
you:
- Correctly cite the 2 articles, using the style format given in the
Uniform
Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals for journal articles.
Scroll down the page and follow the format given in the examples.
- Discuss in 150 words or more the reasons that you selected these 2 articles, including
search strategies that you applied, problems that arose, etc
- Upload your document to the Digital Dropbox in the class CourseInfo site; make sure to
put your name on your document, and label the document Exercise 1.
The Problem:
Ozzie is working as a laboratory researcher for a large
biomedical manufacturing company. The company produces many kinds of synthetic
prostheses and implants; all approved for use in humans.
Failure analysis of unsuccessful cases involving the company's
products indicates that a significant proportion of the failures stem from unexplained in
vivo bacterial growth on the surfaces of synthetic biomaterials implanted into the
human body. Subsequently, Ozzie's research team has been tasked with studying
the problem of biofilm formation on the implanted devices.
Ozzie's first assignment is to review the published literature on
biofilm classification, and growth and development of biofilms; as well as the
relationship between biofilms and synthetic biomaterials in place in the human body.
Unfortunately, Ozzie is "information illiterate," and has asked you for help in
finding some appropriate journal articles or reviews dealing with human subjects and
published within the last seven years in the English language. Your assignment is to
help Ozzie by following the instructions
for answering the problem.
Select a Database to
search
If you aren't sure where to begin, look at the items below
Resources.
Resources:
Next:
Go to the following exercise:
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<date last modified:08/30/01>