How do I come up with search terms?

• Use keywords in your topic (for example: What are the benefits of substantially increasing alternate energy incentives in the United States?  The underlined words would be the keywords you would start with).
• Think of alternate spellings or synonyms.  The more search terms you can think of, the better your search will be.  (for example: benefits or gains/ alternate energy incentives or alternative energy incentives or alternative fuel incentives/ United States or United States of America or America or USA etc...)
• You might have to try different combinations.  Searching involves some trial and error!
• Many databases provide a subject index or subject guide.  You can try searching for your keywords in the index or guide to see what terms the database uses.
• If you have found at least one good article, see if there is a "find similiar results" option.  OR you can use the subject terms of that article in your next search to find even better results.
• Not finding anything?  Double check your spelling!  Sometimes a misplaced letter can be the difference between no results and hundreds of results!!

How do I combine the search terms?

• Use BOOLEAN operators: AND, OR, NOT
• For similar ideas - use OR.  Such as alternate energy incentives OR alternative fuel incentives etc.  OR combines like ideas to include records that have any of your search terms.

  

• For different ideas - use AND.  Such as benefits AND alternate energy incentives.  AND combines different ideas to get only those records that have all the terms.

  

• To exclude ideas - use NOT.  Such as alternate energy incentives NOT cars will make sure to exclude articles that deal with alternate energy cars (since we want information on incentives).  NOT will make sure to exclude records from your search.

  

Search Strategies: 

• Use the Advanced Search!  This will give you search three boxes to use to combine your terms and organize your ideas.
• Use the Search Options: You can limit your results to fulltext articles or peer reviewed articles by checking the boxes.  You can even limit your results to specific dates.
• Use quote marks to find exact phrases.
• Use the Fields (not the Force): You can search by keyword, title, subject, or author using the dropdown menu next to the search box.
• Use subject terms from previous search results.  If you find good articles, use them to help you find more good information. 
• Use citations and bibliographies from good sources to find more.
• In our databases: Use the best database for your subject - check the appropriate boxes for your search (Humanities, Science, Encyclopedias, General, etc.).  Examine the results of your search to determine if they are what you need.

Use the folders on the right to navigate OR click any of these links: