Use truncation / wildcard symbol
- this helps you get variations of a word in one command.
» conserv* will yield conserve, conservation, conserving - not all databases use the same symbol, though many use the asterisk. Look in Help Screens if unsure.
Keep your search simple
- Search the most obvious, broad term first. If you get lots of results, you can narrow them down. But see what the term yields first to get a sense of the scope of your topic
- Don't make your search more complicated than necessary. If you don't need much, then one or two terms might be sufficient.
- If you need to retrieve more information, then expand the number of terms you use (see next step).
Search on key concepts (using synonyms if necessary) one at a time
- Define your topic into 1-3 key concepts and search each of those concepts separately.
- Example: Effect of forest fires on animals. Chart terms relating to each concept:
Concept 1
| Concept 2
|
fire, fires
| fauna |
blaze, blazes, blazing
| mammal, mammals
|
burns, burning
| bird, birds
|
- Each concept contains various terms that an author might use to convey the idea of fire (1) or the idea of animals (2).
Use AND, OR, NOT accurately:
- OR combines synonyms or related terms of one concept, (FIRE* OR BLAZ* OR BURN*) - any one of those terms can be present in the result set
- AND combines different concepts together - both conditions must exist in your result set
- Search using wildcards:
Search Concept 1
| Set #1
| FIRE* OR BLAZ* OR BURN* |
Search Concept 2
| Set #2
| FAUNA OR MAMMAL* OR BIRD* |
Combine both concepts
| Set#3
| #1 AND # 2
|
- Your results in Set #3 will be articles that mention any of the terms relating to BOTH the concept of fire AND the concept of animals:
» "Drought, fires, and large mammals"
» "Effects of winter burning on birds in mesquite grassland" - Use NOT to eliminate an aspect of no interest
Build your sets of concepts, then combine them as needed
- You may choose to search additional terms or concepts to refine your results
| Search a third concept | Set #4 | grassland* or prairie* |
| Omit 3rd concept from previous results | Set #5 | #3 NOT #4 |
- Your results will encompass the idea of fire AND animals, but NOT involving grasslands
» "The response of mammals to forest fire and timber harvest in the North American
boreal forest" - Most databases have a SEARCH HISTORY tab or button that allows you to view what sets you've created and return to them. Then you can revisit sets, or combine them in different combinations as you refine your search
- Want to know more? A very good, extensive explanation from the University of Albany Libraries.
Don't spend time getting nowhere
- If you are confused and frustrated, don't spend an hour searching, wasting your time. Ask a professional for help!
Now have fun searching our wealth of databases!
