Before you do any of the database searching, learn about Boolean Logic:
The examples above illustrate general topics expressed with just two keywords. Actual search strings, which express complex topic ideas, may consist of several keywords and combinations of Boolean operators.
The thesis statement "Automobile air bags are not safe for children" might result in the search string:
automobiles AND air bags AND children AND safety
· Nesting ():
Most databases and major search engines support complex Boolean searches. If you have a complex search using more than one operator, you can nest your search terms, using parentheses. Search terms and operators included in parentheses will be searched first, then terms and operators outside the parentheses. A search for:
(ADD OR attention deficit disorder) AND college students
will search for documents containing either the acronym ADD or the words attention deficit disorder, then narrow the search results only to those documents that also contain the words college students.
· Truncation (* in databases, ? in library catalogue)
Or word stemming can be used to search for a portion of a word with a variant ending. If you searched for therap* you would return results that included therapy, therapist, therapeutic, therapists and any other word that started with the letters before the truncation symbol.
Be careful not to truncate too far, or you will retrieve unrelated words!
· Quotation marks “ “
Will search the exact phrase, e.g.: "date fruit"
Search Library catalog for print and online books, journals, reports, media, etc.HINTS:
If you don't know author or title of the book, start with a Quick Search using words/phrases describing your topic.
Make sure you type and spell correctly: library catalog is very unforgiving in spelling.
You can limit results by location and publication date.
Once you found a book you want, look and click at the Subject headings (pre-defined "controlled" terms), For example:
Always look for Location, Status and Call Number.
When you find a book on the shelf, browse in the area to see what else is there on the same topic. Library of Congress Call numbers: