How do you properly search a database?

How do you effectively search a database?

Top Ten Search Tips1Use AND to combine keywords and phrases when searching the electronic databases for journal articles. ... 2Use truncation (an asterisk) and wildcards (usually a question mark or exclamation point). ... 3Find out if the database you're using has a "subject search" option. ... 4Use your imagination.

What do you need to know before you search a database?

Explore the database and see what's there.Run some exploratory searches in the database using different keywords from your list.Browse your search results. In most databases, you will need to click on the title to read the abstract.Look for relevant articles.Look for subject headings. ... Revise, Revise, Revise.

What is the first step in searching a database?

Here is the basic process in nine steps.1Step One: Identify a Topic. ... 2Step Two: Set up a Search Strategy Using Boolean Operators. ... 3Step Three: Find Background Information. ... 4Step Four: Find Books. ... 5Step Five: Find Periodicals. ... 6Step Six: Find Newspaper Articles. ... 7Step Seven: Consult Other Sources. ... 8Step Eight: Evaluate what you Find.

What is a simple search in a database?

A simple search box is the default search box found within most library databases. It searches for items across all fields of the library database collection. It searches for all terms, or keywords, entered in the search box.