A database organizes information into fields for easy searching.  Each is different, but some common fields are title, author, or subject.  A keyword search will search all fields, while a subject search looks only in the subject fields.  Most databases allow both kinds of searching.

Keyword searching is simply typing words into the search box to get a list of results that contain those words.   Databases search for the exact words entered in the search box.  If it can't find all your terms in an article, it won't return that article as a result.  So plan your search terms carefully:

• Identify the main concepts in your topic or question.

• List any synonyms or antonyms (include academic rather than informal language).

• Spell out any abbreviations.

• Add to your list of terms as you discover more during research.

• Keep in mind that keyword searching is best used for a very specific topic.

Subject searching locates the assigned subjects for each article.  For example, an article on spiders may have the subjects INSECTS, ARACHNIDS, and SPIDERS.  Since each database is different in how in assigns subject headings, it may take some investigation:

• Start with a keyword search, using words or phrases that describe your topic.

• Browse the resulting articles, choosing 2-3 that are relevant and noting the subject fields for these articles.

• Redo your search using those terms.

• Some databases also provide a list of subjects or auto-suggestions.

• Keep in mind that subject searching is best for very general, common topics.

One of the most common ways to modify a basic search is phrase searching.  When looking for a string of words isn't specific enough, try enclosing words in quotation marks in the order you would like for them to appear.  For example, instead of climate change, search "climate change".

When phrase searching keep in mind:

• Some databases automatically assume that words typed next to each other should be searched as a phrase, but other databases require that all the search terms be present in an article, but not necessary next to each other.

• Using quotation marks (or parentheses) around search words is a common way to do phrase searching, but not all databases or search engines use them.  Check the help section of the database to find out.

• Use phrase searching thoughtfully!  For example, "river pollution" will miss any articles containing the phrase polluted rivers.

When words have multiple endings (like sun, sunshine, sunny, sunlight) or can be spelled differently but mean the same thing (color, colour), truncation and wild card searching can broaden your search to include all forms of the word.  For example, the search colo*r will locate articles that use the words color and colour.

Truncation broadens your search to include various word endings.

• To use truncation, enter the root of a word and put the truncation symbol at the end.  (For example, searching child*  will locate child, child's, children, children's,  and childhood.)

• Truncation symbols may vary by database.  Common ones include *, !, ?, or #.  Check the database help section to find out which one to use.

Wildcard searching substitutes a symbol for a letter within a word.

• This is useful if a word is spelled in different ways, but still has the same meaning.  (For example, a search for wom*n will locate woman and women.

• Wildcard symbols may vary by database.  Common ones include *, !, ?, or #.  Check the database help section to find out which one to use.

Boolean searching (named after mathematician George Boole) is the technique of using the terms AND, OR, and NOT to combine or exclude keywords for more focused and productive results.  

Using AND:

• Narrows a search by locating articles containing all search terms.

• In some databases the AND is implied.

• For example, the search college AND university will only locate articles in which both terms appear.

Using OR:

• Broadens a search by locating articles that contain either search term.

• This can be used to link synonyms.

• For example, the search college OR university will locate articles in which either or both these terms appear.

Using NOT:

• Narrows a search by excluding articles containing the term after NOT.

• The search will locate article where only the first term appears.

• For example, the search college NOT university will only locate articles containing the term university.

Since databases are specifically for academics, they offer a variety of tools to help with school projects.  Improve your results by experimenting with sorts, filters, and other tools.  It is better to find a few highly relevant results than too many irrelevant ones.

Sorting tools rearrange the information in the order your results are listed.  What is most important to you?  Try sorting by relevance, date, reading level or more.

Filters or limiters focus your results.  What type of information do you need?  Try limiting your results by publication, source type (newspaper, reference, journal, etc.), publication date, full text, reading level, article length, peer review, and more.

Other tools make your job as a researcher easier.  Some options may include:

• Creating a personal account

• Links to related topics

• Read-aloud or translate options

• Sharing or citing articles

• A help section or tutorials

If you're unsure how to use search techniques, try the Advanced Search option available in most databases.  Often this is located under the Basic Search box.

Each database is different, but check the help section and look to see if they include any of these techniques:

• Searching within a field - For example limiting a search by a certain author to the author field will omit any articles about this author.

• Boolean Searching - The terms AND, OR, and NOT are often available from drop down boxes within the advanced search.

• Limiters and Filters - Many databases offer a menu to further define results by publication title, article type, publication date, full text only, reading level, article length, peer review, and more.