Information
Finding Information
Tips on how to navigate your preferred resources
Still having trouble finding the information you need, even though you’ve chosen a good source and used Boolean logic? Don’t worry - you may just need to tailor your search to suit the particular search engine or database you’re using. Luckily, most of these have a page which describes the best techniques to use. For example, this is the link to Project Muse’s search help page.
To find the search tips, look for a link either on the homepage or the Advanced Search page. Here are a few of the important factors to look for in those helpful hints:
Advanced search
Nearly all search engines and databases have an "Advanced Search" page. Advanced Search allows you to break your search into fields (like author, title, and keyword), and may allow you to place limits, like language and date of publication. This is a great place to start.
Keywords
Some databases allow you to search the full text of the articles, but others have a list of preferred terms that will return the best search results. Take a look at POPline’s keyword search for an example. Also look for instructions on formatting. For example, should you indicate an author’s name as "Joe Smith," "Smith, Joe", or "J Smith"?
Search semantics
You may know that the Boolean operator "NOT" excludes a term from your search. But how do you tell the search engine or database what you mean? The word "NOT" might work for some, but others might require a minus symbol.What symbols and words have meaning in this resource, and when should you use them? Check the Boolean Cheat Sheet for common symbols and substitutions.
Shortcuts
Are there terms you can use to indicate a field, such as title or author, without going back to the advanced search page? For example, typing "AU:" in the generic search box might allow you to indicate "Author" without having to return to the Advanced Search page.
For assistance with your bibliographic searching, email CSDE info. The Information Specialist can get you started with a set of relevant publications, or even schedule a meeting with you to discuss your research and search strategies.
Need an immediate answer, and can’t wait for The Information Specialist to get back to you on email? You can chat with a librarian in real time from the UW library website. Click on "Click to talk now with a UW Librarian" in the upper right hand corner of the page, and a reference librarian will be there to assist you.