Searching Databases
Step 4: Create a Search String
Once you have your keywords, you need to combine them in a way the database will understand. You can...
- Put Boolean search terms between your keywords (see boxes below left and right for an explanation),
- Use other search tools (see box bottom right for more tools for searching databases), or
- If you're not getting enough results, use the video bottom left for ways to split your search to find more information.
Go to Start Your Research and click on Advanced Search to try it out!
Boolean Search Visual
Search String Example
Now...how do you use AND, OR, and NOT while searching?
- Click on "Advanced Search" under the Start Your Research search bar on the main library webpage.
- Put in your keywords like this:
- Not getting enough results? Remove one of your search terms. Or watch the video below for more help.