Databases & Keywords

Lindsay DavisFaculty Librarian

Objectives What databases are & why we use them Where to find databases How to search databases

Libraries are like icebergs

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What are databases? Think of a database as an electronic box

that has individual articles taken from magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Where do I find databases?

Through the Portal! We have databases listed in ABC order. We have databases listed by subject.

How do I search databases?

1. Choose subject-appropriate databases.2. Set dates.3. Mark full-text.4. Enter your search terms with connecting

words.

How do I come up with search terms?

Create research questions. Break down your questions into the most

important words (keywords). Write down synonyms and related words.

Here’s a video that demonstrates this process. Here’s a video that explains more about

keywords and how to develop them.

Class Exercise Create 1-3 research questions. Break down your question(s) into keywords by

crossing out the words that aren’t as important.

Switch papers with the person sitting next to you.

On your partner’s paper, write down synonyms and related words to try in the databases.

How do I use keywords in databases?

You will have to try different combinations of keywords.

Use stem searching. Use Boolean operators to connect

keywords.

Here is a video that explains how to search using keywords.