No matter which databases you use to locate materials for your research, there are certain strategies that you can use in designing your searches, which will help you conduct effective searches on your research topic.

AND - combines terms; narrows and focuses search   ex.: forests and health

OR - used between synonyms or related terms, broadens search by supplying more options  ex.: lakes or ponds

NOT - excludes terms from search, narrows and focuses search   ex.: forests not tropical

TRUNCATION - symbol used at end of word or word part to retrieve variant word endings; adds flexibility and depth to your search  ex: environment* retrieves: environments, environmental, environmentally, environmentalist, etc.

PHRASE SEARCHING - generally, it is necessary to put quotes around the phrase:  ex.: "climate change"

If you need additional help with your research for this class, please don't hesitate to contact me.  We can set up a time to meet for an individual consultation, and work through all your research questions.

E-mail: laurie.kutner@uvm.edu