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Selecting key concepts and using Boolean operators (and, or, not) to build a search string.
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SEARCH TIPS
GENERAL SEARCH TIPS
Identify key concepts in research statement or question
Build search strings using Boolean Operators (and other search tools)
Choose which database(s) to search
If you need assistance, Ask-a-Librarian
Contact a librarian if you need help!
STEP 1: SELECT KEY CONCEPTS TO BUILD
SEARCH WITH.
What effect does nutrition have on learning?
STEP 1: SELECT KEY CONCEPTS TO BUILD
SEARCH WITH.
What effect does nutrition have on learning?
STEP 1: SELECT KEY CONCEPTS TO BUILD
SEARCH WITH.
I’m looking for articles on hyperhidrosis (aka excessive sweating or perspiration).
STEP 1: SELECT KEY CONCEPTS TO BUILD
SEARCH WITH.
I’m looking for articles on hyperhidrosis (aka excessive sweating or perspiration).
STEP 1: SELECT KEY CONCEPTS TO BUILD
SEARCH WITH.
I need articles on epidural and subdural hematomas but not subarachnoid hematomas.
STEP 1: SELECT KEY CONCEPTS TO BUILD
SEARCH WITH.
I need articles on epidural and subdural hematomas but not subarachnoid hematomas.
STEP 2: BUILD A SEARCH STRING
AND—OR—NOT & other search tools
The AND Operator
Measles:
20,604 ResultsMumps:
7,900 Results
Measles AND Mumps:
3,665 Results
PubMed search results 06/29/09
The OR Operator
Measles:
20,604 Results
Mumps:
7,900 Results
Measles OR Mumps:
24,838 Results
PubMed search results 06/29/09
The NOT operator
Measles:
20,604 Results
Measles NOT Mumps:
4,234 Results
Mumps:
7,900 Results
Note: Beware of using NOT because you can “not” yourself out of good
search results!
PubMed search results 06/29/09
Use other search operators
such as:
• Quotation marks to search as a phrase
ex. “heart attack” searches as a phrase
and not for individual instances of the
words heart or attack
• Truncate words
ex. “inject*” searches injects, injected,
injecting, injection, etc.
CONSTRUCTING THE SEARCH STRINGS
What effect does nutrition have on learning?
• nutrition AND learning
• (nutrition OR diet) AND (learning OR
education)
CONSTRUCTING THE SEARCH STRINGS
I’m looking for articles on hyperhidrosis(aka excessive sweating or perspiration).
hyperhidrosis OR ((sweat* OR perspir*)
AND (excessive OR abnormal OR
profuse))
CONSTRUCTING THE SEARCH STRINGS
I need articles on epidural and subdural hematomas but not subarachnoid hematomas.
((epidural OR subdural) AND
hematoma) NOT subarachnoid
Note: Beware of using NOT because you can “not” yourself out of good
search results!
STEP 3: SELECT THE RIGHT RESOURCE
Seek the help and assistance of a
Lister Hill Library Librarian!http://www.uab.edu/lister
And find help through our
new website!
