Library resources include options to combine keywords using: AND, OR, & NOT. You can type them in as shown in the search examples below. These Boolean operators may also appear by default, with multiple search boxes available for combining terms. You may need to select Advanced Search to access this feature.
These examples are starting points, or simple searches that utilize core research concepts. They would likely result in hundreds or thousands of search results that you could narrow using the limiting options in the database:
Search for articles in library databases can take hours of trial and error. You will likely need to adjust the keywords, subject headings, and limiters you use to get your search exactly where you want it. Keeping track of your database searches using a search log can help you identify successful strategies and avoid repeating searches.
Search logs can be as simple as a screenshot of your search results page, or as complicated as a color-coded Excel sheet. You should consider including the following information in your search log:
Download the following attachment to access a search log template for Microsoft Excel. This log is meant for large research projects and may be overly complex for smaller projects like research papers.