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Top 10 Database Tips
10. Use the appropriate database -- for example: eBook Central (books/secondary sources) or JSTOR (journal articles).
9. When you search a database and do not get the results you expect, ask for help. The librarians are here to help you.
8. Start with a keyword search, using words/phrases that describe your topic.
7. Browse the results; choose 2 or 3 that are relevant.
6. Look at the Subject or Descriptor field and note the terms used (write them down).
5. Redo your search using those terms, your results will be more precise than your initial keyword search.
4. Use truncation, enter the root of a word and put the truncation symbol at the end.
genetic* = genetic, genetics, genetically
Truncation symbols may vary by database; common symbols include: *, !, ?, or #.
3. Consider using the date range to limit your search.
2. Use the advanced search features.
1. Use Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT.
Tertiary and primary sources on the United States with biographies, historical events in context, photos, maps, and audio/video clips.
People, events, and topics in United States History with reference books, academic journals, magazine and newspaper articles, primary sources, images, videos, audio files, and links to vetted websites.
Full-text history encyclopedias, reference books, magazine/journal articles, images, and maps.
Topics and perspectives of daily life in past historical eras with essays, photos, maps, audio/visuals clips, and primary sources.
Controversial issues affecting the world selected from full-text newspapers, magazines, journals, books, images, multimedia, and links to vetted websites.
Access over 100,000 authoritative and copyrighted academic level electronic books. Includes Academic Complete, DEI, and University Press collections.
For a full list of databases, select this link
