The Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT can help you combine concepts, as well as helping you to expand or narrow your search.
Truncation and wildcards help you search variations of words that may be important for your search.
These symbols can vary from database to database, so check the "Help" or "Search Tips" options in the database you are searching to find the best one for your needs.
Think about your topic for your project and ask yourself the following questions.
Then consider the types of sources that you need for your research:
The answers to these questions will provide valuable information that will help you select the best databases for your topic and develop your search strategy.
Selecting the best database for your needs can make a difference between search success and failure. When you select a database, be sure to review the database descriptions and consider the following:
Use Advanced Search
The advanced or guided search option allows you to select specific fields to search, such as author or title,
Use Subjects Terms or Descriptors
If you find an article on the topic you are interested in, look at the subject terms or descriptors that are listed in the record for the item. These terms are standard within the database, and often can help you locate more articles on that topic. Some databases, such as APAPsycNet or Medline, will have a thesaurus feature built in the database, which will point you to the best subject terms. Take advantage of these features when they are available.
Use Limits
Most databases provide an option to limit your search. These limits can include language, type of resource, publication date, and full text only. If you find yourself getting too many hits, or would like to eliminate certain types of records, set your limits and try again