A search string is a combination of keywords, truncation symbols, and boolean operators you enter into the search box of a library database or search engine. Example: educat* AND student* gives results that include "education, educator, educating" and "student, students". Use the information on this page to help you construct effective search ...
These include: Boolean operators, phrase search, and wildcards. Learn how to use these handy techniques to become more successful in your quest for information by watching the video Searching databases (4:54). Also have a look at the module Search techniques - from snowball to cited reference search to learn more about different search methods.
Developing an effective search strategy involves the following three steps: 1. Identify key concepts in the research question or topic. 2. Identify alternate terms, including synonyms, abbreviations, colloquialisms, and acronyms. 3. Incorporate search techniques such as Boolean operators, truncation, wildcards and search operators.
3.1 Basic search techniques Earlier, we discussed developing a topic into searchable keywords, and introduced key finding tools for library research. ... However, doing this may retrieve far too many results. If that’s the case, you may have to try different search terms or strategies to narrow your results down to the most relevant sources.
If you need to broaden your topic, add synonyms or other phrases to the search strategy. "NOT" eliminates unrelated records containing the concept. Concept 1 not Concept 2-repetitive stress injury not carpal tunnel syndrome. Once you have set up a search strategy, you're ready to take the next step, finding background information on your topic.
Literature searching can feel like hunting for needles in haystacks—plural. But with the right strategy, it becomes your research superpower. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to clarify your research topic, use smarter literature search techniques, and leverage both traditional databases and AI tools.
This guide provides guidance on developing effective search strategies that can be applied across different research needs as well as practical tips and resources to help users refine their search techniques. ... Discover a wider range of resources by using various search techniques and databases. This ensures you have a well-rounded ...
Search Strategies & Techniques . Research can be time-consuming, but knowing how to construct a good search can improve your likelihood of finding good results. These are some tips to help you maximize your results and make the most out of your time. 1. Entering the Search .
There are 3 selectable icons that explain each of the search techniques used in this advanced search. Technique 1: Phrase searching. Databases typically search for words individually. To make sure that they search for keywords as a phrase, apply a symbol such as a double quotation marks (" "), at the beginning and end of the keyword phrase.
To conduct a precise and thorough search you may need to use a variety of techniques, from Boolean logic to truncation and proximity searching. Not every technique is supported by every resource, and the ways in which the techniques are used can differ, so
Use the Boolean search logic operators . OR -- to group together synonymous words and phrases (inside of parentheses) in order to broaden the scope of your search and increase the number of records returned.. AND-- to focus the scope and limit the number of returned records.. Start out thinking broadly on the search topic, group together your synonymous terms and phrases; then iteratively and ...
Search Techniques Search Techniques. Knowing about some general search principles is important in order to get as good a result as possible. On this page you will learn more about how to structure your search in search blocks, find the balance between broad and narrow searches, combine search terms with boolean operators, search for word stems ...
Search for words as phrases by enclosing them in quotation marks Examples: "classroom management" "genetic engineering" Narrow a search by using AND This command tells the database that you only want to see articles that contain all of the words somewhere in the title, abstract, or subjects of the article's record Example: communication AND
Search efficiently using the search tool and databases. On this page you will find tips on basic search techniques to improve your searches. We use the library search tool as an example but most of the techniques can be used when you search for information in databases as well. Should I use the library search tool or a database?
Advanced Search Techniques. In the vast ocean of information that is the internet, advanced search techniques act as your navigation tools, helping you pinpoint the exact information you need. ... Develop a search strategy: combining Boolean operators (‘AND’, ‘OR’, ‘NOT’) can dramatically narrow or expand your results.