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Basic Search Tips

This document provides search tips for effectively using databases, including how to narrow or broaden search results using keywords, subject terms, and limiters. It explains the use of Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches and highlights the importance of selecting appropriate search fields. Additionally, it covers techniques like phrase searching, nesting, truncation, and wildcards to enhance search efficiency.

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Nucleo Buenos Aires
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4 views

Basic Search Tips

This document provides search tips for effectively using databases, including how to narrow or broaden search results using keywords, subject terms, and limiters. It explains the use of Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches and highlights the importance of selecting appropriate search fields. Additionally, it covers techniques like phrase searching, nesting, truncation, and wildcards to enhance search efficiency.

Uploaded by

Nucleo Buenos Aires
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Search Tips

Too Many Results? Narrow your search.


1. Add Additional Keywords.

What Is A Subject Term?


Subject terms describe what a work is about. Every item in a data- base is assigned one or more subject
terms. Subject terms can help you identify effective keywords. Most data- bases list subjects in their search
results.

2. In databases, subject terms can help you identify more narrow topics and keywords.Choose More
Narrow Search Terms.

Examples: •Broader term: law •Narrower term: “environmental law”


3. Use Limiters.
These are things like search fields (title or abstract)
publication date, and format type.
4. Search For A Short Phrase With Quotation Marks.
Examples: •“environmental law”
•“environmental justice”

Too Few Results? Broaden Your Search


1. Choice Of Search Terms
Choosing the right search terms is key.
•Experiment with related terms.

•In databases, subject terms can help you identify


keywords.•Use OR to search for multiple related
terms at the same time. (e.g. policy OR law)
2. Too Many Search Terms
Databases can be picky about search terms. Be selective.
•Begin with one or two search terms that best represent your topic.
Then add other terms as needed.
•Avoid long phrases and empty words like “the” and “how.”
3. Too Many Limiters
If you limited the search (e.g. by date or search field), remove the limiters and reassess.
4. Narrow Topic
For highly specific topics, you may locate sources on a broader related topic.
Examples: •Narrow search: Bloomington Indiana AND environmental policy
•Broader search: United States AND state government AND
environmental policy
Database Choice

Different databases focus on different topics. Try the “Subjects”


tab on the IUB Libraries homepage to view resources for different
subjects.
Searching with Boolean
Operators
Most library databases use Boolean operators (AND, OR, and NOT). You can use them to broaden or
narrow your search results.

AND searches for records that use both terms and narrows your results.
OR searches for records that use either term and broadens your results.
NOT excludes words from the search and narrows your results.

renewable energy
China
peace- keeping
United Nations

Renewable energy AND China

Peacekeeping NOT United Nations

renewable energy
wind
solar
Renewable energy OR wind OR solar
Search fields in
OneSearch

Database Search Fields


Records in library data- bases are made of “fields.” Fields can help you nar- row your search.
Examples:
• author
• date/year of publication
• title
• subject/descriptor
• abstract
• all text (searches the full text, if available)

Improving Search Results


With Fields

• Most databases automatically search by keyword (looking for the term anywhere in the record).
• Limit the search field for a term to
narrow results.

• Fields are usually in drop down menus.


• If the database has a single search box with no drop down menu, look for an “Advanced Search”
option.
Phrase Searching Use quotation marks or parentheses around search words to search for a phrase.
Example: “united nations peacekeeping forces”
Nesting
Use parentheses to put search words into sets. Terms in parentheses are processed first. Use nesting
with AND, OR, and NOT.
Example:
success AND (education OR employment)
Truncation Broaden your search to include variant word endings and spellings. Enter the
root of the word then the truncation symbol [usually an asterisk (*)].
Example: elect* = election, electoral, elections
Wildcards Substitute a symbol for just one character. The most commonly used wildcard symbol is a
question mark (?). Example: wom?n = woman, women

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