Spring 2025 SOWK 460w Week 08 - Tips for Searching for Sources

Slide 1
A light bulb icon is displayed on a magenta square. Text beside it reads, 'Tips For Searching for Sources, Spring 2025, SOWK 460w, Week 08.' Below, it says, 'Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW at Heritage University.'

Spring 2025 SOWK 460w Week 08 - Tips for Searching for Sources

title: Spring 2025 SOWK 460w Week 08 - Tips for Searching for Sources date: 2025-03-09 22:45:43 location: Heritage University tags:

I’m changing up the schedule this week. The reading from Royse (2023) is focused on surveys and instrumentation for collecting data. In week six, we spent time exploring surveys and some of the content from the textbook. We will do our Peer Reviews for your group logic models after we get back from Spring Break. I recorded a lecture video to talk through finding academic sources. On Monday, I am offering a program evaluation support workshop where our time will informally support anything you need for your program evaluations.

For my lecture video, the following was my agenda:

  • Plan for week eight
  • Tips for searching
  • Demo example using topic of burnout
Slide 2
The image displays a presentation slide titled 'Agenda Week 08' listing: 'Plan for week eight,' 'Tips for searching,' and 'Demo example using topic of burnout.' The background is white.

Agenda for Week 08

  • Plan for week eight
  • Tips for searching
  • Demo example using topic of burnout
Slide 3
The slide displays 'Week Eight Expectations' in bold text. It lists tasks: read Royse (2023) Chapter 8, complete a quiz, attend a workshop if needed, and write a journal entry.

Week Eight Expectations

  • Read Royse (2023) Chapter 8
  • Reading chapter quiz
  • Attend Monday’s workshop if needed
  • Write a journal entry
Slide 4
A slide presents tips for searching scholarly sources, including starting with a broad database, using key words, and employing synonyms. Specific advice is given for refining search strategies effectively.

Tips for Searching for Sources: Finding Scholarly Sources

TIP 1. Start with a Broad Social Science Database. TIP 2. Start by Searching Key Words in the Title Boxes. TIP 3. Use as Few Words as Possible. TIP 4. If the Title Search Is Unproductive, Broaden the Search by Changing the Secondary Search Term to an All-Text Search. TIP 5. If You Get Too Many Hits, Add Another (Third) Search Term. TIP 7. Use Synonyms and Then Repeat Your Searches. TIP 8. Use Quotation Marks for a Two-Term Phrase. TIP 9. Look for Systematic Literature Reviews, Systematic Reviews, or Reviews of the Literature.

(Royse, 2023)

Slide 5
The image shows the word 'DEMO' in a gradient color, centered on a white background. Below, it reads, 'Burnout and Child Welfare Workers.'

Demo: Burnout and Child Welfare Workers

Step 1: The topic we are considering.

Burnout

Step 2: Get some broad understanding of the topic if you don’t already have it.

Search for Wikipedia wikipedia burnout

or use ChatGPT etc. Give me an overview of the topic of burnout

Step 3: Start Searching for Articles

Google Scholar Heritage Search Sci-Hub

Narrowing Down Topics

  • adding more search terms
  • Using advanced search tools (advanced, filters, search codes)
  • Synonyms
  • Searching for specific types of articles systematic reviews

Step 4: Save Your Work

  • Save articles you read
  • Write notes about it
  • Highlight and copy notes from articles