Now that you have identified your search
terms, you will want to construct a search statement that a computer can
interpret and execute to retrieve the information you need. There
are several techniques that you can use. Most of them will work
in the library catalog as well as in electronic databases and in full-text
electronic journal collections, so it is worthwhile to learn them!
Although the search screens may look different from one search system
to another, you can usually click on the Help button to find out more
about using these techniques in your chosen database.
You can:
- use Boolean operators to
combine your search terms
- truncate search terms with
a "wild card" character
- specify the proximity or
adjacency of search terms
- search by field (look for
your terms only within the title, abstract, author name, etc.)
- use subject headings (descriptors) in addition to, or instead of, keywords.
You don't have to use all of these techniques,
but using them when appropriate may give you better results and save you
valuable time. The following screens will teach you about these various
techniques. In Section 2, Finding Articles, you will practice these
techniques by doing a sample search in a nursing database.
