Competency 6d: Databases: Successive Fractions Search: ERIC

The successive fraction search strategy starts with a broad search and narrows the search by addding limiters such as specific facets, Boolean operators such as "AND" and "NOT," and date, author, or title limiters among others according to the database's IR system.

Using the search topic "What effects have the USA Patriot Act had on libraries?" I conducted a Successive Fractions Search using the ERIC database. Using the query facets "Patriot Act," "libraries" and "effects." I constructed the following strings for my search:

S1 = effect* (263, 403 hits - way too many!)
S2 = S1 and librar* (7,821 hits - getting better, still too many)
S3 = S2 and Patriot Act (1 hit - not quite enough)

S1 Screenshot:
S1 + S2 Screenshot:

S1 + S2 + S3 Screenshot:

Hit:

Since my last search was far too limited, I would modify my search by including other search facets. Some descriptors, or facets, offered by ERIC in the abstract I retrieved included: Internet, privacy, computer security, and federal legislation. A query expansions combining additional facets and appropriate Boolean operators would produce even better results.