Search Tips for Library Databases
The following tips will work in MOST library databases.
- Start with basic searches and fewer keywords. You can always narrow down your search as you go by adding more keyword later. Library databases are not like Google; inputting too many keywords might not get you any results.
- Use * as a wildcard symbol on the end of words. This strategy lets you look for all endings of a word instead of just the one you typed.
- For example, a search for spillway* will retrieve articles with the words spillway and spillways.
- Caution: do use * sparingly. Examples of bad searches:
- Spill* will retrieve articles including the words spill, spills, spilled, spillover, spillway, spillways, etc.
- Bio* will retrieve articles including the words biology, biography, biomedical, bioremediation, etc.
- When searching for specific phrases, use quotation marks around the phrase.
- For example, "tunnel outlet*"
Boolean Searching
| Boolean Operators | Example | Results | When to use |
| And | "Morning glory spillway" and design | This search statement will only retrieve articles containing both the phrase morning glory spillway and the word design anywhere in the record. | To narrow a Search when you find too many items or when your search results do not address your specific topic. |
| Or | "trash rack*" or "bar screen*" | Finds any articles containing either the phrase trash rack or bar screen. | To Broaden a Search When you can't find enough information or when you need to find information on a topic that can be described by different terms. |
Subject Guide
Library Help
Contact:
Subjects: Accounting, Agriculture, Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences, Anthropology, Applied Economics, Applied Sciences, Technology, & Education, Arts, Automotive Mechanics, Aviation & Technical Education, Biological Engineering, Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Communication Studies, Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education, Computer Science, Concurrent Enrollment/High School, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement, Data Management, Data Sets, Dictionaries & Encyclopedias, Digital Humanities, Economics & Finance, Education, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering, Engineering Education, English 1010/2010, Environment & Ecology, Geography, Geosciences, Human Development & Family Studies, Images, Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences, Interior Design, Intersectional Gender Studies & Research, Journalism & Communication, Kinesiology & Health Science, Landscape Architecture, Languages & Cultures, Library & Information Science, Management, Marketing & Strategy, Mathematics & Statistics, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Music, Newspapers, Nursing, Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences, Philosophy, Physics, Plant, Soils & Climate, Political Science & Law, Psychology, Research Tips, Social Work, Sociology and Anthropology, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, Statistical Information, Technology, Design, and Technical Education, Theater Arts, Theses & Dissertations, Utah's Online Library, Veterinary Medicine, Visual Arts, Watershed Science & Fisheries, Welding, Wildlife, Range and Forestry
