You now know the search terms to use and where to look. But how do you put this together to find what you need? This page highlights some techniques and tricks you can use to make your search more effective. This will help you to create a search strategy.
The options listed below will vary from database to database - if you are having any trouble, get in touch and we can talk you through it.
Many databases allow you to make a focused search using specific terms. We call these terms Boolean operators.
Boolean operators tell a database how to combine your search words and what words you do or do not want in your results. Instead of finding thousands of irrelevant results, you can create a search which finds a much smaller number of useful results.
There are three main Boolean operators:
The 'Advanced Search' option on a database usually has an option to select the Boolean operator you want. You can also type them into your search bar manually - make sure to use capital letters.
Use the tabs above to see what each operator does and how it can help.
Climate change AND Global warming
Using AND, this search would bring back results that mentioned both climate change and global warming.
Climate change OR Global warming
Using OR, this search would bring back results that mentioned either climate justice or global warming.
Climate change NOT Global warming
Using NOT, this search would bring back results that mentioned climate justice but would exclude any that mention global warming.
In addition to Boolean operators, you can also use symbols in your search to make it more effective.
We have listed the most common search techniques in the table below. Different databases may use different symbols - if you aren't sure, look for the 'Help' option in the database you are using.
| Technique | What it does | When to use it | Symbol | Example | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phrase searching | Finds an exact phrase | If you have too many irrelevant results | " " | "health promotion" | Items with 'health' and 'promotion' directly next to each other |
| Truncation | Finds words that begin with the same letters | If you have a word which can be singular or plural | * | manag* | manage, manager, manages, managing, managed, management |
| Wildcard | Finds words with variant spellings | If you have words with different spellings like British and American English | ? | behavio?r | behavior, behaviour |
Use of proximity and adjacency operators are normally only required under specific circumstances during advanced searching. These enable you to find specific keywords near or close to each other, specifying the number and order in which they appear.
Check the help guide/search tips of the database you are searching to establish correct format as they do differ from database to database.
Note: Not all databases support proximity or adjacency searching.
Consider are your search terms hyphenated or not? e.g. life-style OR life style
Some databases will search for both hyphenated/non-hyphenated terms automatically. Check the help guide/search tips or run a test search to check results retrieved.
Example: (mobile OR digital) AND technology will retrieve results with mobile technology, digital technology or both words with technology.
This helps to reduce the retrieval of irrelevant results as your search is combined in a logical order.
Note: Nesting is useful for search engines e.g. Discover and Google Scholar.
Not all databases will support nesting or may use different techniques. Check the help guide/search tips of the database you are searching.
If you have more questions or need help with advanced search techniques contact your academic librarian.