REL 2321: Prophets, Founders, and Saints

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 operators between your search terms (see box below center to decide which to use)
• use the other search tools (see the box below o see how to use them)
• Go to Start Your Research to try it out!

Research Databases do not work like Google!

You can't just type in your question.

BUT...you can combine keywords into a "question" that the database will understand.  Using AND, OR, NOT between search terms will make your search waaaaay more precise.

• AND between two keywords will bring back less results    - only those that have both keywords.
• OR between two keywords will bring back more results   - all those articles that have either keywords.
• NOT between two keywords will bring back less results    - only those articles with the first keyword, but not the second keyword.

OTHER TOOLS FOR SEARCHING:

• Use quotation marks to search for phrases - "endangered birds" will bring back results that have that phrase.
• Use an asterisk to get all words with a single root within results - type creat* and results will include create, creating, creators, creation, creatures, etc.
• Combine keywords using AND, OR, and NOT rather than typing in your whole question.  (Look left for more info.)

• ATLA
• Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion
• Religions of America
• Twentieth Century Religious Thought: Christianity
• Twentieth Century Religious Thought: Eastern Religions
• Twentieth Century Religious Thought: Islam
• Twentieth Century Religious Thought: Judaism