If you need additional help with your research for this class, please don't hesitate to contact me. We can set up a time to meet for an individual consultation, and work through all your research questions.
E-mail: laurie.kutner@uvm.edu
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.: mexico and archaeology
OR - used between synonyms or related terms, broadens search by supplying more options ex.: archaeology or archeology
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: environment* retrieves: environment, environments, environmental, environmentally, environmentalist, environmentalism, etc.
It is good practice to keep track of your searches, what worked for you, and what didn't. It'll save you a lot of time, and a lot of duplication of effort. Use this research log template to keep track of your research progress.