Author/Publication Search with Truncation

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Objectives

Select the correct field qualifier to restrict the search to the "Author" field
Utilize the truncation symbol (*) properly to locate all middle initial combinations for this search
Search for a specific journal/publication
Combine the searches for author and publication to obtain specific information

Scenario

You have a report for a research methods class. You must focus upon a research instrument for a particular condition. You were assigned the "Stroke Impact Scale." Your instructor mentioned that one of the physical therapy instructors has written a great article about the "Stroke Impact Scale." The author's last name is Duncan. You are not certain what the first name is but it begins with "p." The article is supposed to be in a journal named "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation."

Search Process for this Scenario

Step 1: First take your information need and create a search statement about it.

"I am looking for an article written by P Duncan about the Stroke Impact Scale from the journal 'Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.'"

Step 2: Identify the important concepts in your search.

The author's last name and first initial, Duncan p, and the journal title, "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation."

Step 3: First, search for the author's name. If the name isn't common and the author hasn't written very much, it might be all that is needed to locate the article.

Step 4: From the Advanced Search screen, click the dropdown menu and select the AU "Author" field. In Find box, type the name in the following format: last name, first initial. Many authors publish using their middle initial. In order to include all of the possibilities (p to pa to pz), use truncation symbol *. Your search should look like this: Duncan, p*.

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