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University Library

UNIV 150: Freshman Year Experience

Identity and Global Challenges

Steps for using databases

1. Identify key words

Learn more how do identify key words in "Identify Keywords"

2. Try different methodologies

Use the box below to learn about how to create searches in library databases

3. Save your results!

Send or save articles to yourself so you have them for later

Search Methodology

Combine search terms with boolean operators ( OR / AND / NOT )

 

Boolean Operator
OR
AND
NOT
Why you do it

Link keywords related to a single concept

Link different concepts Exclude certain search terms
What it does Linking with OR broadens a search (increases the number of results) by searching for any of the alternative keywords Linking with AND narrows a search (reduces the number of results) by retrieving only those records that include all of your specified keywords Using NOT narrows a search by excluding certain search terms
Example chocolate OR cacao chocolate AND health chocolate NOT candy

 

Use quotes to keep word order when searching for phrases

For phrase searching, place two or more words in "inverted commas" or "quote marks".

Example:   “chocolate chip cookies”

In some databases, words may be searched separately if the quote marks are not used. In other databases, word order may be maintained without the need for quote marks.

Use symbols to retrieve word variations

Symbol

*

?
What it does An asterisk applied to the root of a word (truncation) captures other endings to that root word. A question mark applied in a word (wildcard) replaces one or more characters in the middle of a word.
Why you use it Useful for retrieving singular, plural and other variations of a keyword. Useful if word is spelled in different ways, but still has the same meaning.
Example

child* will give you:

  • child
  • childs
  • children
  • childrens
  • childhood

wom?n will give you:

  • woman
  • women

 

Identity useful limits

Many databases provide many different types of articles. You can narrow your search with limits. Adding a limit to a search will exclude certain material not relevant to your research question, and therefore reduce the number of results.

Examples include:

  • limiting to English language
  • limiting by publication date
  • limiting to a specific document type
  • limiting your search to specific fields, such as only searching in the Title/Abstract fields

The use of limits should be justified by the focus of your research and any constraints.

Screenshot of OneSearch

Identify how the database categorizes information

Many databases use subject headings to organize content. These are generally selected from a controlled list by experienced people and describe what the article is about. 

A comprehensive search strategy is often best achieved by using a combination of keywords and subject headings where possible.

In-depth knowledge of subject headings is not required for users to benefit from improved search performance using them in their searches.

Advantages of subject searching:

  • Helps locate articles that use synonyms, variant spellings, plurals
  • Search terms don’t have to appear in the title or abstract

Note: Subject headings are often unique to a particular database, so you will need to look for appropriate subject headings in each database you intend to use.

Subject headings are not available for every topic, and it is best to only select them if they relate closely to your area of interest. 
 

Screenshot of Onesearch

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