1. Choose the right database! No sense searching for genetic information in an art database
- try the resources listed on the databases page of this guide for some suggestions.
- Connect with your librarian for a research consultation
- choose from other library subject guides and look for the 'databases and articles' tabs.
2. Choose the right keywords! Retrieving the best articles relies on using the right terms
Concept WorksheetIdentify the main concepts of your search - use the worksheet to help you clarify your concepts
- Brainstorm synonyms and alternative phrasings for each of your main concepts. Focus on using nouns and only use verbs or adjectives if necessary. Don't use minor words such as "the", "in", "on", or "of".
- See if your subject database has specific thesaurus terms that relate directly to your search concepts. A database thesaurus will identify the proper terms to use in that database and will also suggest broader, narrower, and related terms for you to consider.
3. Learn how to combine search terms properly. Librarians call this "boolean searching"
- AND narrows a search - both terms must be present
- OR broadens a search - either term will be present
- NOT/NO eliminates items - one term is not present
4. Learn to use advanced search features such as truncation, phrase searching, and search limiting
- Truncation: in many databases you can use an asterisk (*) to retrieve items with various word endings and spellings. For example: child* will find child, children, or childish.
- Phrase Searching: most databases require quotation marks around the phrase. A phrase search will then locate only records containing the words in the particular order in which they appear. Example: "invasive species" instead of: invasive species
- Limiting: many databases have advanced limiting features relevant to the subject. Check for limiting by year, publication type (e.g. research article or review article), gender, or age groups.
5. Follow the citations: find more studies is by using citation searching.
- Backward searching: look through the reference lists of articles you have found. The reference studies are likely to be quite relevant for you as well.
Citation SearchingForward searching: find articles that cite older articles. This allows you to move forward from a seminal work and discover what new research is based on that earlier research.