Database Searching

Databases may look a little different from each other, but most of them conduct searches in a similar manner.  Here are some tips to help you with your search:

Basic Search

A basic search is a great place to begin, and also to see the results and how you can improve your search term.

Boolean operators can be used in a basic search to limit or expand your results.

• Use the words "and" or "or" to combine terms and connect your keywords (ex. social media and blogs)
• Use "not" to exclude a term from your search (ex. social media not Facebook)
• Use quotations around a search term to keep words together in the search (ex. "social media")

Advanced Search

Choosing to use an advanced search provides more options for your specific search terms. 

• Select "scholarly" or "peer reviewed" to narrow your results
• Use filters to narrow by publication year, source type, peer reviewed, etc.

If you need help searching and finding articles for your project, contact the Kirtland Library staff for help.

Databases may look a little different from each other, but most of them conduct searches in a similar manner.  Here are some tips to help you with your search:

Search options

• Use the advanced search option to include multiple search terms
• Select "scholarly" or "peer reviewed" to narrow your results
• Use filters to narrow by publication year, source type, peer reviewed, etc.

Boolean operators are 

• Use the words "and" or "or" to combine terms and connect your keywords (ex. social media and blogs)
• Use "not" to exclude a term from your search (ex. social media not Facebook)
• Use quotations around a search term to keep words together in the search (ex. "social media")

If you need help searching and finding articles for your project, contact the Kirtland Library staff for help.

This video, from the Memoirs of a Modern Librarian, provides seven helpful search tips that apply to most databases.

Quick Tips & Shortcuts for Database Searching. By Vanessa Garofalo. YouTube. YouTube, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

This video is a great introduction and reminder about how to make your search more specific and meaningful.