Refining keyword searches in databases and search engines

Refining keyword searches in databases and search engines

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When you use a search engine, it’s a good idea to come up with terms that are as specific as possible and to enclose search phrases in quotation marks. You can refine your search by date or domain (.com, .edu, .gov, for example); autism site:.gov will search for information about autism on government Web sites.

Although command terms and characters vary among electronic databases and Web search engines, some of the most commonly used functions are listed here. Many sites offer you tips for stating search terms.

  • Use quotation marks around words that are part of a phrase: “Broadway musicals”.
  • Use AND to connect words that must appear in a document: Ireland AND peace. Some search engines require a plus sign instead: Ireland +peace.
  • Use NOT in front of words that must not appear in a document: Titanic NOT movie. Some search engines require a minus sign (hyphen) instead: Titanic -movie.
  • Use OR if only one of the terms must appear in a document: “mountain lion” OR cougar.
  • Use an asterisk as a substitute for letters that might vary: “marine biolog*” (to find marine biology or marine biologist, for example).