Email 3: Search Strategies for SPC Databases and the Internet

General search strategies

v      Use “advanced search” feature of database or search engine to combine search terms.

v      Enclose a phrase in quotation marks to search for exact terms side by side.

Ø       ex. “drug abuse”

v      Use the term AND between search terms to narrow, 

Ø       ex. teens AND alcohol

v      Use the term OR between search terms to broaden search,

Ø       ex. teens AND alcohol OR drugs

v      Use the term NOT between search terms to narrow search,

Ø       ex. teens and drugs NOT alcohol

v      Use asterisk ( * ) to truncate end of word to broaden search,

Ø       ex. sing* = sing, singer, singing

v      Use question mark ( ? ) to replace a letter to broaden search,

Ø       ex. S?ng = sing, sang, song

SPC Database Basics

v      Databases are purchased through several different vendors. The best tip when searching one of these databases is to click on HELP to see what unique strategies will work best.

v      Databases often offer a list of source materials (ex. Journals, reference works, newspapers) for your convenience.

v      Database vendors may offer a way to mark results to which you wish to revisit when done searching.

v      Database results will be in one of three formats: html (text), PDF text format, or SFX (Linked text).

v      Database full-text results often contain a printer-friendly version and the ability to email the article.

For more assistance, please stop by the nearest campus library or contact any of the campus libraries: