ENGL 01A Piro: Searching in Databases

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

Keywords

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

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.

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

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.

Most databases have limiters to help you narrow your results by full text (those articles you can actually fully access and read immediately), publication date, and source type.