Q. Can you give me search tips for the library catalog, a database or the web?

Here are some general tips that work in almost any search box:

1. Use quotation marks for an exact phrase.

   [ medical error ] finds results with those two words anywhere in the document/record, together or separately.
   [ "medical error" ] finds results with that exact phrase.

2. An asterisk saves typing by searching for all endings to a word at the same time.

   [ mexic* ] searches for Mexico, Mexican, and Mexicans. Don't shorten your word too much, or you will bring back results that are not relevant. [ me* ] searches for Mexico, Mexican, Mexicans, meningitis, memes, Medici, and so on.
 

Library Search Tips

• To find books, use Library Search.
• To find articles, use Articles+ or a database.
• Focus your results -- Use the facets on the left side of the search results page to limit by format, author, language, etc.

Database Search Tips

Too many results:

• Start small! Begin with just one or a few search terms, then add additional terms if you find you have too many results.

• Use good search terms - Try using terms that are more specific than those you originally entered. Do not use OR between terms that mean different things, (for example, women OR salary).

• Too few search terms - Each time you put in another search term it will give you fewer results. If you only have one general term in the search box, consider what about that term you are interested in.

• Use limiters - Limiters (such as date and format) give you a more targeted results list.

• Topic is too broad - Narrow the scope of your search. Think about the various aspects of your topic that you plan to cover in your paper and search for them separately, then synthesize the information you find. Or you may need to narrow your topic because it is too large a topic to cover in a short paper.

Too few results:

• Is this the best database for your topic? If you are using a database for a specific subject (education, psychology, etc.), try using a multidisciplinary database like Academic Search Complete or even Google Scholar. Be prepared to try several different databases. Need a recommendation for a subject-specific database? Try the Subject Guides.
• Use good search terms - Check your spelling and brainstorm some synonyms or related terms for your concept. You can use OR between synonyms, for example -- salary OR pay OR compensation.
• Too many search terms - Each additional term in your search will get you fewer results. If you have three or more search terms, try removing one to see if your results improve.
• Too many limiters - Limiters (such as date and format) give you a more targeted results list, but get you fewer results. Use only those that are absolutely necessary.
• Your topic is too narrow - What is the broader theme of your topic? Break your topic down and search for different parts separately, then synthesize the information you find.

Web Search Tips        

1. Keep it simple! Start by typing the name of a thing, place, or concept that you're looking for.
   
    [ puppy training tips ]
   [ london dinner cruise ]
    [ pasta recipe ]

2. Add relevant words if you don't see what you want after doing a simple search.
   
    First try: [ puppy ]
    More precise: [ puppy training ]
    Even more precise: [ dalmatian puppy training class ]

It might take several attempts to find the right words to describe your search.

3. Try words that a website would use to describe what you're looking for.
   
    Not ideal: [ my head hurts ]
    Not ideal: [ why is my head killing me ]
    Better: [ headache ]

Why? Google matches the words in your search to the words appearing in pages on the Internet. "Headache" is the term that informative webpages are likely to use, so using that term will help you reach the type of information you want.

4. Use only the important words rather than a full sentence or question.

    Not ideal: [ country where bats are an omen of good luck ]
    Better: [ bats good luck ]

Why? Generally, all of the words that you include in your search will be used to find matching content. Too many words will limit your results.

Source: Google Basic Search Help
More web search help: Google Tips & Tricks