Search+Tips

=Database Search Tips =


 * Using Quotation Marks: **
 * ======To search for an exact phrase, enclose the phrase in quotation marks. For example, the phrase **"environmental science"** is an exact phrase search whereas the phrase **environmental science** (without quotation marks) prompts a search for **environmental** AND **science** as separate entities, leading the user to very different search results. ======


 * Boolean Searching: **
 * ======The words **AND**, **OR**, and **NOT** are called "Boolean operators." They can be used to narrow or expand your search. For example, a search for "fruits **and** vegetables" will find materials containing information on //both// fruits and vegetables. A search for "fruits **or** vegetables" will find materials containing information on //either// fruits //or// vegetables. A search for "fruits **not** vegetables" will find information on fruits only while excluding information about vegetables. ======


 * [|Click here to see a visual representation of how Boolean operators function.]
 * [|Click here to access the Boolify Project, an interactive activity for teaching Boolean searches.]

=Other Internet Sources to Consider: =


 * Government websites and electronic documents


 * Check out this directory of authoritative websites developed just for students: **[|ipl2: Information You Can Trust] **


 * Open access journals (see the **[|Directory of Open Access Journals]**. This searchable directory provides listings and active links to peer-reviewed and quality controlled journals in many subject areas and languages. All journals provide free, full text, and open access to their articles).


 * Subject guides compiled by libraries and educational institutions


 * Grey (non-commercial) literature consisting of papers, reports, and technical documents published by academic institutions, government agencies, and business/trade entities.


 * **[|Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP)]**This resource is the official tool for finding federal documents and other United States government publications relevant to the fields of history, science, government, economics agriculture, public policy, and more. Users can conduct a basic records search by title, subject, keyword, and authoring agency. Advanced search and browsing options are also available. Users can also narrow search results by the following formats: (1) congressional serial set, (2) congressional publication, (3) GPO (Government Printing Office) access publications, (4) internet publications, (5) periodicals, (6) serials. For current documents that have been published electronically, the catalog records on this site provide direct links to the documents themselves. For historical documents and publications not available electronically, the catalog offers the option to find a Federal Depository Library nearby that carries the publication in print.

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 * **[|JSTOR Early Journal Content] **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">JSTOR’s “Early Journal Content” collection includes journal content published prior to 1923 (copyright date) in the United States and prior to 1870 outside of the United States. This content is free to the public without a subscription. Visit the URL above to browse this content by discipline or journal title.