Library Research for Writing Assignments: A Quick Guide

How do I know what words to enter into the database's Search Box?

You may be assigned a topic to research or you may be asked to choose your own. Your topic will be your starting point in choosing search terms.

• Types of search terms: 
  • keywords - a general list words related to your topic.
  • subject searches - words listed or bolded database lists
    • nouns - the names of something or someone -- people, things, places
      •  example - nouns for a topic in psychology: "depression,"  "bipolar disorder," "schizophrenia."
• Make a list of main search terms 
• Create a list of alternate search terms - synonyms (different words that mean the same thing)
  • WHY? Different authors will use different terms that mean the same thing so If you can't find enough information using one search term, another
  • Consult a Thesaurus to find related or alternative words or synonyms.  

Will I find enough information just doing a simple search?

•  Very likely if your topic is broad.
  • Use the single Basic Search box you see when a database opens.
  • Type in a search term or phrase. Remember - nouns work best.

BASIC SEARCH STRATEGIES

• Keywords - depression, bipolar,  autism
• Phrases - "mental health" -  try enclose phrases in quotation marks if you get wonky results
• Subjects - link from subject words in the database 

Why do I see 3 search boxes on a page sometimes? 

• This is the Advanced Search tool
  • Advanced searching lets you combine search terms. (This is why making list is a good idea!)
• When you get tens of thousands of results, advanced searching can help you narrow down the results
• You may never need to use Advanced Search strategies, but it's an option if you are having trouble finding the right information.

Two Advanced Search Strategies to Try

• Boolean Searching - separate search terms with AND, OR, or NOT
  • depression AND hopelessness
    • finds results with both search terms
    • narrows results
  • (mania OR insomnia) AND "depressive episode"
    • finds results for either search term specific to climate change
    • place the OR terms in parenthesis as a signal to the database to search variations on the similar concepts
    • expands results
  • depression NOT financial
    • finds results in mental health categories not the historical period of the Great Depression
• Truncation - do one search instead of several by using the root of a word plus the * symbol
  • depress*
    • finds articles than contain words beginning with the root "depress" - depression, depressive, depressing, depressed, etc.