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.: climate change and arctic
OR - used between synonyms or related terms, broadens search by supplying more options ex.: frogs or toads; behavior or behaviour
NOT - excludes terms from search, narrows and focuses search ex.: forests not tropical
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. environmental, environmentally, environmentalist, environmentalism, etc.
PHRASE SEARCHING - varies by database, but in many databases it is necessary to put quotes around the phrase: ex.: "climate change"
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.
Research Log Template
