RESEARCH TIPS
If your search is not yielding many results, try to find similar terms in a thesaurus, online, or in articles you have already found on your topic. Don't get stuck searching a single word, when variations of that word will help you find results.
USE A THESAURUS
USE BOOLEAN OPERATORS : and, or, not
The words "and," "or," and "not" can have a huge impact on your search results.
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"And" narrows your search. For example, "rock AND roll" will search for resources in which the two search terms are used together. Thus, you will locate results dealing with rock and roll music, not rocks/geology or rolls/bakery.
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"OR" widens your search. For example, "rock OR roll" will search for either term regardless of the other term's presence. Thus, this search would locate results on rocks/geology, rolls/bakery, and rock and roll/music.
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"NOT" also narrows your search by allowing you to eradicate results in which the two terms are used together. For example, "rock NOT roll" will search for information on rocks/geology specifically. This search will omit results in which rock appears with roll.
USE ADVANCED SEARCH
Never underestimate the importance of narrowing your search by using the tools made available to you in advanced search. Nearly all search engines and databases offer this feature and it is a great and easy way to get the most out of your search.
Search for "Search Tips"
Often search engines and databases offer search tips to users to help narrow their search. These can include symbols such as an (*), (-), and (+). Make sure you investigate the search engine or database to locate these symbols.
Search Engines:
