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ENGL 01A Mumford: Searching in Databases

College Composition and Reading

Break Down Your Research Question into Keywords

Searching in a library database requires a different approach than what you would typically use in a search engine like Google.

The database tries to match the exact words you use in the search. Not all authors use the same language to describe similar topics, so you will need to try a variety of searches.

  • Create a list of possible words that could appear in a book or article related to your topic.
  • Come up with synonyms or related terms for those.
  • Stick to using 2-4 concepts at a time when searching.

Connect Keywords with Boolean Operators

Operator Example
AND joins dissimilar terms. It helps narrow your search. farmworkers AND pesticides
OR joins similar terms. It helps broaden your search.

"Central Valley" OR "San Joaquin Valley"
Use AND & OR together, as well.

pesticides

AND

"Central Valley" OR "San Joaquin Valley"

Sample Search

Research Question: What is the relationship between race and access to healthy food?

Keywords

Race Food Security

ethnicity

Black-Americans

Latinx

“food desert*”

“food justice”

“food insecurity”

Sample Search - Both searches are the same but set up differently

In One Search Box

(race OR ethnicity) AND (“food justice” OR “food desert*”)

In Multiple Search Boxes

Search in multiple search boxes

Selecting and Using Keywords

University of West Florida, John C. Pace Library, (3:50)

Online Research: Tips for Effective Search Strategies

Sarah Clark (3:04)

Use Quotation Marks to Find Phrases

  • “Central Valley”
  • “San Joaquin Valley”
  • “environmental justice”

Use Truncation to Find Word Variations

The asterisk * is the most common truncation symbol.

  • child* = child, children, childhood, etc.
  • politic* = politic, politics, political, etc.

You do have to be careful with truncation. Sometimes you might get unexpected results.

  • minor* = minor, minors, minority, minorities, etc.