Properly working databases but be properly designed in order to "return" proper search terms to the user. This can be achieved by following all the querying, design and evaluation principles. This study identifies such principles which eventually show that adhering to these principles facilitates consensus development and ownership of the recommendations, conclusions, and findings.
¶ … Searching
All databases comprise of records described by search engines used in searching these records or data. While search engines appear to differ, the underlying principles of database searching and strategies are common. The first principle argues that before an individual begins to search for any information, he/she should develop a search strategy. This involves brainstorming about the keyword to be used (Ullman, 2011). It is imperative to take into account possible synonyms such as automobile and car, alternative spelling like labor and labor, organization and organization, and plurals. The second principle applies to people searching for older materials. This principle requires researchers to consider changes in terminologies. This could be because of developing complex vocabularies and modifying them into appropriate languages.
The Boolean principle stems from the George Boole who focused in writing about a principle designed to elicit better search results through the formulation of precise queries. This principle is sometimes known as the calculus of thought. The Boolean principle is rooted on this thought and its operators: NOT, AND, and/or applied in linking phrases to obtain precise searches (Ullman, 2011). The Boolean principle is helps researchers to define and focus their searches. The three aspects of this principle are essential in the narrowing and broadening search results. It is an important concept to learn because its three aspects are integral in effectively searching electronic databases, library catalogues and the internet.
"AND" helps in narrowing a search as all terms ought to be present in every search. This principle limits a search by demanding that all terms after and before "AND" must be present in the article for it to be retrieved in the search process. For example, a researcher must type children AND eating disorder to generate results that refer to both children and eating disorder (Ullman, 2011).
"OR" helps to widen a search as every hit contains either term. This principle can expand a search by demanding that the search phrases after and before it must appear within the article for it to be retrieved during the search process (Ullman, 2011). For instance, a researcher could type adrenaline OR epinephrine to generate results referring to adrenaline and epinephrine. This principle is useful when a researcher can describe a term in multiple ways and will obtain findings that contain both terms.
"NOT" is used to narrow a search through excluding data containing the specified words. The Boolean principle NOT additionally limits a search by demanding that the search term after NOT should not be present within the article in the process of searching, for instance, obesity NOT hypertension.
The "Thesaurus Principle" states that when a researcher encounters a database including a thesaurus, the researcher must make use of it. Running a search on a thesaurus of a database could help select terms, which are indexed in that database. This could also suggest narrower, related, or broader terms as well as indicate preferred terms. It is imperative for all researchers to observe these principles as they offer key guidance in the search process (Ullman, 2011).
Principles for evaluating database results
All principles for evaluating database results are guided by the International Database Results Evaluation (IDRE) Policy and the IDRE-results-based evaluation approach. This approach and policy adhere to International research standards and norms. The first evaluation principle states that the evaluation function must be independent and objective. This aims at enhancing a culture of learning and internal credibility while promoting a better support to the oversight and governance roles of the researcher (Shasha & Bonnet, 2012). Additionally, evaluation of database results must make an essential contribution to the project managers by informing the budgeting, programming, reporting, planning, and implementing cycle. The second evaluation principles incorporate the policy framework that requires evaluation to strengthen accountability and knowledge development in areas of decent work. This seeks to enhance the usefulness and relevance of database results.
The third principle states that evaluation must contribute to decision making via evidence-based analysis of policies, projects, programs, and strategies. This function of the third principle is intended to ensure independence and transparency of evaluations hence reinforcing the quality, usefulness, and credibility of database results. Project managers are required to protect the integrity of the process of evaluation by making sure that the process conforms to the International Database Results Evaluation policies and guidelines (Shasha & Bonnet, 2012). Additionally, the evaluation principles rely on the universally accepted standards and norms of independent evaluations presented below:
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