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ANTH 2000: Introduction to the Major - Brouwer Burg (Spring 2024)

Conducting Successful Searches

No matter what database you use to locate materials for your research, there are certain strategies that you can use in designing your searches, which will help you conduct effective searches on your research topic.

AND - combines terms; narrows and focuses search   ex.: saami and subsistence

OR - used between synonyms or related terms, broadens search by supplying more options  ex.: saami or sami; subsistence or diet

NOT - excludes terms from search, narrows and focuses search   ex.: mexico not new

TRUNCATION - symbol used at end of word or word part to retrieve variant word endings; adds flexibility and depth to your search  ex: anthropologretrieves: anthropology, anthropologist, anthropological, etc.