Creating a Comprehensive Search Strategy for Research on Learning Disabilities Using the Pearl Harvesting Information Retrieval Framework

Abstract

The migration of libraries to the digital realm has created new opportunities for information sharing; however, the abundance of available literature has made locating relevant research studies on specific learning disabilities a difficult task, one that existing search strategies have not adequately addressed. Moreover, definitions of specific learning disabilities have evolved and the nature of this field is interdisciplinary, creating a confusion of possible search terms for the topic. The present investigation used the Pearl Harvesting Information Retrieval Framework to create a comprehensive search strategy for locating research on learning disabilities. The analysis produced four groups of harvested search terms for the subtopics of general learning disabilities, reading disabilities, math disabilities, and nonverbal learning disabilities. The wide range of diverse search terms retrieved a significantly greater number of relevant citations than other search strategies