Searching Databases

Entry 11:

Research/Reflection

Topic: Searching Databases

    As we are in need of answers to questions, whether for personal questions or for a research paper, we have research options. We can search through a variety of databases depending on what we need. So as we work on our research papers for class, we were told to use keywords in the database to find the best results. Further elaboration on searching databases: (image below)

Some tips included in this image:

1. Do not use full sentences, less is more (keywords)

2. Be able to narrow your topic ONLY to the main points

3. Think of synonyms for your main concepts

4. Utilize Boolean in you search strategy.

5. Start broad and work your way to specifics 

6. Understand your database system

7. Utilize the search filters. 

Personal experience: 

    Most useful tricks for me? Narrowing the search to "English" and whatever source type I am looking for. I also use specific words so my results are right to the point. Further options that could be used would be things like a specific author, title or more. It would take keywords from the search and include them in the title options.