Search Tips and Techniques

Library Databases:

Most library databases are designed to work best when individual keywords are combined using connecting (Boolean) terms such as AND, OR, and NOT.

The EBSCOhost database will automatically adjacent words as a phrase. For example: typing the words "internet searching" into the EBSCOhost search box will provide results where the words internet and searching are side by side. It would return an article titled "Tips for successful internet searching" but would not return an article titled "Searching the internet for chemical information."

Note also the many options for limiting your search. Most library databases have an option to search for scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles only. Most also offer a limit by year of publication.

Common Internet Search Engines:

Learn more about the special features available for searching the internet by checking the links below:

Google Help: Basics of Search

Yahoo! Search

Ask.com Advanced Search Tips