Call the library @ (252) 985-5350
Email the library @
reference@ncwu.edu
Here are a few tips to help you develop a good search strategy:
1. Use two or three keywords rather than a complete sentence. Example:
TOPIC: I'm interested in finding articles on the importance of photosynthesis to global ecosystem.
KEYWORDS: photosynthesis --- plants – oxygen --- light --- carbon dioxide
The other words do not relate to the core concepts of the research question and are not effective keywords.
2. Use quotation marks " " when you want to search for a phrase. Example:
"social media" or “organizational behavior”
3. Too few or poor results? Use synonyms and related terms to find different results. Example:
"aerobic" in place of "endurance"
“strength training” in place of “resistance training"
Truncation symbol, [an asterisk (*), dollar sign ($), or plus sign (+), etc.], with the root/stem of a word broadens your search to include various wording endings:
child*=child or children or childhood
Wildcard symbol may also be used to replace a single character to include different spellings:
wom?n for women or woman
Databases use different symbols so check the searching help.
AND is used to connect two or more keywords using Boolean logic. They are also known as Boolean operators.
Use AND to connect keywords that you think there is a relationship between, or are associated, such as "income AND education", or "gender AND salary". It also reduces the number of results.
OR is used to connect two or more similar concepts and will broaden your results.
Examples: cat OR kitten dog OR canine
NOT is used to exclude a word from a search.
Example: dogs NOT cats
Use AND to connect keywords or key phrases and OR to find synonyms in the same search.
Example: (dog OR canine) AND (pet OR "companion animal")
Maximize your search by combining these tools: