How Do You Search A Database?

1. Use AND to combine keywords and phrases when searching the electronic databases for journal articles. ...
2. Use truncation (an asterisk) and wildcards (usually a question mark or exclamation point). ...
3. Find out if the database you’re using has a “subject search” option. ...
4. Use your imagination.

What is a simple search in a database?

A simple search box is the default search box found within most library databases . It searches for items across all fields of the library database collection. It searches for all terms, or keywords, entered in the search box. ... There are several fields in the advanced search box that will help limit your search.

What databases should I search?

Of the combinations of two databases, Embase and MEDLINE had the best results (92.8%). Embase and MEDLINE combined with either Google Scholar or Web of Science scored similarly well on overall recall (95.9%).

How can I improve my database search?

1. Look for misspellings in your strategy.
2. Decrease the number of concepts searched.
3. Try a broader search term.
4. Use a term from the thesaurus (i.e., MeSH or subject heading list) for searching.
5. Use the Related Articles or Similar Articles feature.

How do you search electronic databases?

Like library catalogs, electronic databases are searchable by author, title, subject and keyword . The first two are fairly straightforward. An author’s name, or the title of a book, journal, magazine, newspaper or multi-media item, is entered into the search field and the results are displayed in a new browser window.

Is database searching a skill?

Database search skills are essential to your success as an online student and researcher. Most of us are very comfortable using internet search engines to get millions of results. However, getting a million results when doing a Library database search is not a desirable outcome.

What are the 3 main Boolean operators?

They connect your search words together to either narrow or broaden your set of results. The three basic boolean operators are: AND, OR, and NOT.

How do you refine a search in database?

1. Try a database on your topic. ...
2. Broaden your topic. ...
3. Change your search terms. ...
4. Use fewer search terms. ...
5. Use fewer limiters. ...
6. Check your spelling. ...
7. Use OR with synonyms.
8. Use wildcard (usually a question mark) or truncation (an asterisk) to include additional variations of your search terms.

How do you develop a search?

1. Formulate the research question.
2. Identify the key concepts.
3. Develop search terms – free-text terms.
4. Develop search terms – controlled vocabulary terms.
5. Search fields.
6. Phrase searching, wildcards and proximity operators.
7. Boolean operators.
8. Search limits.

What is electronic database search?

An Electronic Database is a computer-based collection or listing of information . It can include professional, peer-reviewed journal articles that are organized in a systematic way with searchable elements or fields. This allows the search to be fast and easy.

What is a database search called?

A database search engine is a search engine that operates on material stored in a digital database.

How do I find my searching skills?

1. Use quotation marks to find exact phrases or names. ...
2. Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, and NOT) to broaden or narrow your search. ...
3. Apply filters. ...
4. Search a specific site. ...
5. Search for a specific filetype.

What are search strategies?

A search strategy is an organised structure of key terms used to search a database . The search strategy combines the key concepts of your search question in order to retrieve accurate results. Your search strategy will account for all: possible search terms. keywords and phrases.

How can I improve my searching skills?

1. Use quotation marks to find exact phrases or names. ...
2. Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, and NOT) to broaden or narrow your search. ...
3. Apply filters. ...
4. Search a specific site. ...
5. Search for a specific filetype.

What is Boolean example?

A boolean expression(named for mathematician George Boole) is an expression that evaluates to either true or false . Let’s look at some common language examples: • My favorite color is pink. → true • I am afraid of computer programming. → false • This book is a hilarious read.

What are the 6 Boolean operators?

Nov 25, 2018 206996. Boolean operators are the words “AND”, “OR” and “NOT” . When used in library databases (typed between your keywords) they can make each search more precise – and save you time!