Successive Fractions Search in Project MUSE

Search topic: Lifelong learning /programs / in public libraries
Strategy: Start with the broadest concept, "programs"--> 17365 hits, then search "public libra*" within results ---> 4123 hits, then search "lifelong learning" within results ---> 237 hits

Below is the record of a good hit:

You searched for: programs in All Fields w/Text AND public AND librar* in All Fields w/Text AND lifelong AND learning in All Fields w/Text

Displaying: 1 to 10 of 237 results

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Modify Search OR		All Fields (w/text) All Fields except text Article Text Article Author Article Title Subject Headings Journal Title ----- Author Reviewed Title Reviewed

9. Gold, Helen E.
Engaging the Adult Learner: Creating Effective Library Instruction
portal: Libraries and the Academy - Volume 5, Number 4, October 2005, pp. 467-481 - Article
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Subject Headings:
Library orientation for college students -- Florida -- Saint Petersburg.
Eckerd College. Library.

Abstract Adult learners have unique developmental and social characteristics as compared to their traditional counterparts in higher education. Library instruction models used for traditional learners are not always effective when teaching adults. The author examines adult learner characteristics and adult learning theory and also uses personal professional experiences to suggest ways in which librarians can create more pedagogically effective and meaningful instruction. Eckerd College's Program for Experienced Learners serves as the model for this examination.


Evaluation: This strategy is similar to the building block search, except that one starts the search with the broadest concept, then narrows it down successively using Boolean limiters. For this particular topic and this database, it does not seem to matter what order the other concepts are searched within the results from the starting broadest concept. For instance, after getting 17365 hits for "program," I can search for "public libra*" within results and get 4123 hits as above, or I can search for "lifelong learning" within results and get a lot less, 481 hits; either way, when I search within results for the remaining concept, the outcome is exactly the same: 237 hits, same documents, same order of relevancy! Logically, even if there are a million concepts to search through successively, the order of the last two concepts can be switched and the end results would still be the same...neat!