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Tips for Searching Article Databases: Home

Finding the right information isn't just luck. Creating a strategy is essential for successful search results. Knowledge about information resources and search strategies will produce meaningful search results, even when you are not familiar with the topi

General Search Strategies

  • Create a search statement using keywords
  • Use bibliographic databases appropriate to your topic. Checking more than one can be very useful to pick up unique titles. 
  • Use keywords and controlled languages
  • Use Boolean searching
  • Change approaches as necessary—gathering information is not a direct process
  • Continue to identify applicable keywords and controlled vocabulary to search in the selected database(s) and other resources

Ask A Librarian for help with additional questions!

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