Library Quick Start

Write one or two sentences summarizing your search topic. It can be helpful to state your topic in the form of a question you want to answer.

Identify:

• Unique terms: PTSD
   
• Exact phrases: "global warming"
   
• Synonyms: (education OR training)  (woman OR women OR female)
   
• Multiple meanings: cloud, virus
   
• Word stems: lead* finds leads, leader, leadership
  Usually (*) but sometimes (!). Check the Search Help within the database.
   
• Different spellings: defen*e finds defense or defence
  ​Usually (*) but sometimes (?). Check the Search Help within the database.
   
• ​Terms to exclude: NOT security excludes the term, security
   
• Broader or narrower terms in case you get too few or too many results (geographic, date range, etc.)

You will most likely modify these repeatedly as you learn what works and what doesn’t. Remember to look for Advanced Search features and filtering too!

Use AND, OR, NOT operators as needed in ALL CAPS.

• OR: found item will have either of the terms
  Surround the terms with parentheses.

• AND: found item must have both terms
  Nowadays, no need to type it. It’s usually assumed, or it’s built into the search drop down menus.
  ​

• NOT: found item will only have the first term
  Surround the terms with parentheses.

• Start with

  • Library Search

• Then look in your subject area ​to identify relevant databases to do more in-depth, targeted searching

  • Research Guides 

  • Article & Research Databases

• Follow it up with searching

  • Other Search Engines

Helpful guidelines for evaluating information, especially if it doesn't come from a library database.

Where you looked, new terms you discovered, what search strategies worked/didn't work, etc.

Search is an iterative process. Modify your search strategy as needed.