Outlines 10 steps to take in any database to build a strong search string. Screenshots are based on the GALILEO Discover Tool.

1. Ten Steps to Create an Awesome Search
1. Use Advanced Search
2. Change Search Mode
3. Set Default Location Where Keywords Should be Found
4. Enter Each Key Concept in a Different Box
5. Add Alternative Keywords Separated by OR
6. Add Quotation Marks to Phrases
7. Use Truncation Symbol (if helpful)
8. Choose Discipline
9. Narrow by Date
10.Narrow by Type of Publication

2. Use Advanced Search
Advanced Search provides
more options for constructing
a search!

3. Change Search Mode
Finds search terms in any order
Google, Discover Search, JSTOR, & Proquest
Databases use this as a default
Searches Keyword as a phrase
unless separated with AND
EBSCOhost database use as a default

4. Set Default Location Where Keywords Should be
Found
Each search tool has a default setting for where
search terms should be found. Set it to search the
full text for a broad search and to citation and
abstract for a more narrow search.

5. Enter Each Concept in a Separate Box

6. Add Alternative Keywords Separated By OR
OR broadens a search. When terms are connected by OR the
database knows either term in acceptable but both are not
required.

7. Add Quotation Marks to Phrases

8. Use Truncation Symbol (if helpful)
*An asterisk may be
added to the root of
any word to tell the
database to find
additional words
that share the same
root.
Develop* = Develop
OR
Development
OR
Developing
OR
Developed

9. Choose a Discipline

10. Narrow by Date
In the search results
use the filters provided
to narrow the search by
date if you get too many
results.

11. Narrow by Type of Publication
In the search results you can also
narrow by type of publication.
● Academic Journals are more scholarly
and specific.
● Magazines are easy to read if you need
to build an understanding of a new topic.
● Books are the best of both worlds. They
provide needed background information,
are often built on scholarship, and
address more nuanced topics the deeper
you go in the book.