1. Simple Search Examples.
    1. Build truth tables
      1. Spiderman Examples
      2. Death Penalty Examples
      3. Repeat Spiderman query expressions using a subscription database.
  2. Research Questions
  3. Research Questions and Valid Arguments

 

Simple Search Examples.

Build truth tables

  1. Introduce different between abstract logic and practical databases.
    1. Parenthesis
    2. Precedence of AND and OR
    3. Literal strings (quoted text)
    4. Terminology: hit, result, query, search string, expression
  2. A TRUE row of the truth table means that an article will be returned as a hit.
    1. Common verbal errors: AND

 

Spiderman Examples

  1. Difference between searching for Spiderman comic books and Spiderman "comic books"
  2. Search for (Spider-man OR Spiderman) AND "comic books"
  3. Compare to (Spiderman AND "comic books") OR (Spider-man AND "comic books")
  4. Search for Spiderman AND NOT ("comic books" or "action figures")
  5. Search for Spiderman AND NOT "comic books" AND NOT "action figures"

 

Death Penalty Examples

  1. Search for "capital punishment" AND NOT "New York state"

 

Repeat Spiderman query expressions using a subscription database.

 

 

 

Research Questions

 

The following are sample research questions. Using one of the databases, write a query string to find articles pertaining to the topic and place your answers on the blog. You must enter:

 

  • The database you used.
  • Exactly what you typed in the database.
  • The query written in logic form.
  • The number of hits obtained for the query.

 

 

 

1. Gay marriage is in the news. Many are calling for same-sex marriage laws. You want to find some articles on the topic but you do not want anything about Canada.

2. Our energy policy is in question. Should we continue to use fossil fuels and foreign oil? Find some articles on the subject.

3. Eating disorders affect women but they also affect men. You need to find some articles that discuss just the condition in men.

4. The use of steroids by athletes is problematic. Doping in sports has always been around. But is it affecting the fans?

5. Illegal aliens want to work. Some say guest worker visas will help the illegal immigrant situation. Others say amnesty is the way to go. You want to find some information that includes George Bush's ideas but not those of his brother Jeb.

6. The minimum wage is low. Some say it should be raised. Others say it hurts small business. Still others say it will cause more outsourcing of jobs. What can you find on this topic?

7. Are electric cars the answer to pollution problems, or should we go with hydrogen-powered automobiles?

8. Can smoking bans work on college campuses ? Have any schools passed smoke-free policies?

9. Women work very hard but find it hard to move up to executive positions. Is it the glass ceiling that keeps them from getting ahead or is it the mommy track that keeps them down?

10. Should affirmative action be used in college admissions? You want to know about undergraduate admissions but want to eliminate any articles about law schools or medical schools.

Research Questions and Valid Arguments

1. You decide you are going to write about the following subject:

Women work very hard but find it hard to move up to executive positions. Is it the glass ceiling that keeps them from getting ahead or is it the mommy track that keeps them down?

a. Write search string that would find articles on this subject.

b. After finding your articles, you develop an outline for your paper. Is the following outline a valid argument?

Women work hard but they do not get executive positions.

If you do not get an executive position, it is because of either the glass ceiling for women or the mommy track.

There is no glass ceiling for women.

Therefore it is the mommy track.

 

2. You decide you are going to write about the following subject:

Are electric cars the answer to pollution problems, or should we go with hydrogen-powered automobiles?

a. Write search string that would find articles on this subject.

b. After finding your articles, you develop an outline for your paper. Is the following outline a valid argument?

If there are electric cars or hydrogen powered cars, then there is no pollution.

If there is pollution, then there are no electric powered cars.

There are electric powered cars.

Therefore there are electric cars and hydrogen powered cars.

 


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