HSU Library
Communication 280: Introduction to Information Research Skills
Classification Systems & Call Numbers, Catalyst, Library of Congress Subject Headings: Catalyst Exercise
  1. As a first step in the process of finding information on the effect of television viewing on aggressive behavior in children I want to find books and other monographic material on this topic. What information finding tool should I use?


  2. Do a Keyword (Relevancy) search in Catalyst using the keywords [television aggression children]. Review the first 20 references. How many seem to deal with the topic expressed in #1 above?


  3. How many references do you retrieve using the keywords [+television +children +aggression]?


    What does the "+" symbol mean?


  4. How many references do you retrieve using the keywords [+television +child? +aggress?]?


    What does the "?" mean?


    Which search gives you the best results #2, #3, or #4?


    Review the references retrieved in this search. What are the most common "subject(s)" (Library of Congress Subject Headings) that are associated with the references?


  5. I want more than just books. How many videorecordings are listed in Catalyst dealing with the topic children and television? Use a keyword (Boolean) search to answer this question.


  6. I want just to look at materials only published after 1990. How many references on television and children are available which have been published after that date? Use a keyword (Boolean) search to answer this question.


  7. Do a subject search in Catalyst on [television and children and television]. How many different subheadings are there that start with [television and children]?


  8. Use "Advanced Search" to create a "keyword anywhere" search that includes the three subjects [child?, television and aggress?]. How many references do you retrieve?


    What advantages, if any, are there of using the "Advanced Search" search option?


  9. Using the Library of Congress Classification Outline find the detailed classification area for your major or other area of current interest. Print off and attach the page.

Send comments and suggestions about this page to: Robert Sathrum
Last Updated: March 11, 2001