Developing a Search Strategy

Basic Search Strategies

No matter what kind of information source you are looking for (books, articles, web pages), you will need to develop a search statement. You need to tell the computer how to look for the information you want to find.

Generally, typing sentences or questions in a search box does not provide good results. Instead, use the terms or keywords that describe concepts of your topic to construct search statements. For more on keywords, see Working with Your Topic.

Most search interfaces allow searchers to use connecting terms, such as AND and OR to indicate how the computer should look for your keywords. The connectors are called Boolean operators.

You can also search for phrases, usually by placing search terms in quotes. This is useful when two common words mean something more specific when placed together as a phrase (example: global warming). To find out how to search for a phrase in a particular database, look for a link to the Help pages.

Summary of Boolean Operators and Other Strategies

Boolean Operators Example Results

and bioterrorism AND policies Finds only those records which contain both words anywhere in the record.

or "biological warfare" OR bioterrorism Finds any records that contain either the phrase "biological warfare" OR bioterrorism -- a broader search result.

not bioterrorism NOT livestock Finds only those records that contain the word bioterrorism and will not present records containing the word livestock-- a more limited search result.

Phrase search Example Results

" "
( )
"biological warfare"

(biological warfare)
Finds only those records that contain the phrase exactly as it is typed; does not return records that merely contain the two words located in separate places in the record.

Example of a Search Using Boolean Operators

1. Search for "biological warfare" or bioterrorism = 304 items

2. Search for safety = 1,998 items

3. Search for ("biological warfare" or bioterrorism) and safety = 52 items

Choose Your Research Tool and Search Terms

You will need to search some type of tool or database to find books, articles, web sites, government reports, etc. Search terms that work well in one tool might not work well in another.

For a paper on the effects of music piracy, or downloading music from the Internet, you will need to use different search terms and strategies to find books versus articles.

To Find:

Research Tool

Search Strategy

Examples

Books, government publications

Online Catalog

Try more general terms, because books tend to be written on more general topics

Articles

Electronic Resources and Databases

Try more specific terms and combinations of terms

download AND music AND internet AND sales

music piracy AND economic

Return to: Guide Home Next: Finding Books

Utah State University | Merrill Cazier Library | Reference & Instruction Services | Ask a Librarian!

Boolean Operators	Example	Results
and	bioterrorism AND policies	Finds only those records which contain both words anywhere in the record.
or	"biological warfare" OR bioterrorism	Finds any records that contain either the phrase "biological warfare" OR bioterrorism -- a broader search result.
not	bioterrorism NOT livestock	Finds only those records that contain the word bioterrorism and will not present records containing the word livestock-- a more limited search result.
Phrase search	Example	Results
" " ( )	"biological warfare" (biological warfare)	Finds only those records that contain the phrase exactly as it is typed; does not return records that merely contain the two words located in separate places in the record.