COMM 101 Lekey

• Research databases recognize only "keywords," and they use search commands called Boolean Operators to find keywords in order to give you search results. 
• These operators help the database to know what and how to locate the best results.
• Most of this is built into the database search interface, but this explanation may help you have better control of how you search.

Most search engines recognize the use of Boolean Operators AND, OR, and NOT.

Placing AND between keywords or phrases tells the search engine you'd like sources concerning an overlapping topic.

"I'd like to find articles about when the city of Detroit went bankrupt."

Inserting OR between two terms tells the search engine you'd accept a source about one topic, but you'd also accept sources that refer to it in another way. Synonyms can be helpful here.

"I'll accept articles about software engineers OR, I'll also accept articles that may instead use the keyword 'programmers.'"

Placing NOT between key concepts tells the search engine you'll accept sources on one but not the other. 

"I want articles about the auto industry, but I'm tired of being flooded with articles about the auto industry in Michigan. Show me articles about the auto industry but NOT in Michigan."

Research is often done about new college students. Fun well-known topics about students that have actually been studied.

Among these studies: New and new-ish college students used Google Scholar to complete research tasks in high school, and they hesitate to use other tools in the completion of college-level research tasks.

Change your research habit when searching for academic sources:

1. Search library resources first. If we don't have it...

2. Use Google Scholar and other open-web access tools second. If that doesn't work (you hit a paywall)...

3. Use SU Libraries' Interlibrary Loan service when all else fails.