Overview of database search tips.
From Yavapai College Library.
Note: in most, but not all, databases, the AND is implied. For example, Google automatically puts an AND in between search terms.
Example: renewable energy AND China
Example: renewable energy OR solar OR wind
This operator is great when you notice your search term is used in different disciplines. You might use this example when researching peacekeeping in the context of interpersonal conflict but your search results in documents about international conflict.
Example: peacekeeping NOT United Nations
Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide (no longer extant).
Nesting is the use of parentheses to put search words into groups.Connect search terms in parentheses with AND, OR, or NOT.
Example:
success AND (education OR employment)
Search results will contain either:
Nesting is often used when search terms have similar meanings:
Example:
education AND (employment OR jobs)
Use quotation marks or parentheses around search words to search for a phrase. Otherwise most databases will find records that include both terms, but not necessary the terms as a phrase.
Examples:
"middle east"
"united nations peacekeeping forces"
"civil society"
Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide
Records in library databases are made of "fields." Fields can help narrow your search.
Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide (no longer extant).
The Search Strategy Builder is a tool designed to teach you how to create a search string using Boolean logic. While it is not a database and is not designed to input a search, you should be able to cut and paste the results into most databases’ search boxes.