Advanced Search Feature
Almost every database will advertise an “Advanced Search” feature near their search bar. This feature will allow you to “lay out” your search before initiating it; you can separate keywords into different boxes separated by Boolean Operators, select the filters you want applied to the search, or even change what each search box is looking for by adjusting the “field” it is searching (Title, Author, Abstract, etc.).
Linked below are two examples of what an “Advanced Search” screen may look like
Truncation Searching
Truncation searching makes use of the asterisk symbol (*) to help retrieve the root of your keyword in addition to any endings following the last letter.
Example: meditat*
This search will retrieve records that include meditate, meditates, meditated, meditating, meditator, and mediation. Where you truncate a keyword can make a difference in your search results; truncate a keyword too early and you could receive results that have nothing to do with what you’re searching for.
Combine truncation with Boolean Operators to create more effective searches:
Wildcard Searching
Wildcard Searching also makes use of the asterisk symbol (*), but rather than including it at the end of the root keyword, you use it in the middle. This can help account for different spellings of words.
Example: reali*e
This search will help return searches containing the keyword variations realise and realize.
Learning Directly from the Databases
The great thing about databases is that the people who designed them want them to be searchable. For the most part, all of the skills mentioned above work the same across all databases, though it is important to point out that each database is a little unique.
The best way to think about learning how to search scholarly databases is like learning a language. All the databases speak the same language, they all just use different dialects. If you learn how to search “Database A” really well, if you’ve developed your skills enough you should have no trouble searching “Database B,” in theory.
As mentioned above, these databases want you to be able to search them, so to help clear up any confusion most of them have “how-to” guides built into their sites. Think of each one as a language manual, it might just take you a bit of digging to find them.
Academic Search Premier’s manual, for example, is located behind their “Help” button, white JSTOR’s manual is a few clicks past their “Support” tab. If you’re having trouble finding the manual for the database you’re searching, try Google-ing “*insert database name here* manual” before moving on.
