1) Use keywords instead of long sentences
Search with question/statement: How is artificial intelligence used to show sponsored ads in Facebook
>> Returns very few, highly irrelevant results.
Instead, search 2 - 3 concepts at a time derived from your research question:
artificial intelligence
advertisements
social media
2) Put search terms into the Advanced Search
Using the Advanced Search will allow you to build a stronger search query. The advanced search can be found below the main search box on the Library homepage:
3) Search Essentials
Use Boolean Operators to separate terms and add relevant ones.
- AND - Limits your search (fewer results) by combining search terms
- OR - Expands your search (more results) by including synonyms and related terms
- NOT - Limits your search (fewer results) by excluding irrelevant keywords
- Use drop down menus when you are searching for a specific author, title, publication, or subject heading for more precise searching.
Phrase searching
- Add "quotation marks" around specific phrases
- Creates unique search term
- Focuses your search (fewer results)
Truncation/Wildcards
- Use wildcard (*) to truncate word so that more variations of word are found. Truncation symbols vary by database but may include *, !, ?, or #.
- Expands your search
Example: child* returns results for child, childs, children, children, childhood,
Example: colo*r returns color or colour
Example:
4) Search Limiters (left side menu)
Use Search Limiters to further narrow your search by date, format, and other aspects of a publication. Search limiters are located along the left side of the search window.
Search limiters
- Available Online - shows only web-based content that Eckerd as access to
- Peer-reviewed Journals - shows only articles published in peer-reviewed journals, whether we have access to them or not
- Open Access - shows resources that should be available to anyone
- Available in the Library - shows only books and ebooks that the library has access to
Others to consider:
- Resource Type - to limit by format (e.g. book, journal, video)
- Date - to set range of years
- Location - for specific location in library
- Collection - for specific database the library subscribes to
5) OneSearch tools make your life easier
- Email results
- Pin/Add item to Favorites
- Cite - choose your format!
- URL - persistent URL for sharing/going back to articles
