1. The document provides tips for conducting effective database searches at the library, including formulating a research question, using synonyms, limiting searches by information type and subject, and using the 360 Link feature to access full texts across multiple databases. 2. It encourages working through advanced search techniques like modifying search terms, information types, and subject tags to refine results. 3. Interlibrary loan is mentioned as a way to request items not available in the library's collections.

1. Sarah Schmidt
Reference and Government Information Librarian
Keywords,
Synonyms,
& Interlibrary Loan

2. @ the library:
get access to the info you need that isn’t freely
available online
Library resources are free and only for ASU
community members, including students!

8. U-Search searches the full text of SOME
of the electronic information at the library

9. Let’s say these are ALL the databases the library owns

10. What’s a database?
• A little electronic library with books, articles,
videos, reports, etc – based on a subject like
history, math, science, art, music, and so on.

11. U-Search Searches HALF the databases the library owns… AND

12. RamCat, the library’s catalog.
RamCat searches the records of every item the
library has access to

20. Your turn!
Let’s work on #1

21. Advanced Searches:
1. Formulate a research question
2. Tinker with the question in the database
How? Play around with:
• Your words
• Information type
• Subjects tagged on to articles

22. Formulate a research question
Think about:
• What you want to learn from the project
• Your current thesis statement

23. Formulate a research question
-Why is it bad for athletes to use steroids in the
first place?
-How widespread an issue is this, anyway?
-Should Major League Baseball have better drug
testing procedures?
-Should the federal government step in?
-What other solutions are there?

28. How to get more targeted results
Tip #1:
Use Synonyms

32. How to get more targeted results
Tip #2:
Take out the seaweed

36. How to get more targeted results
Tip #3:
Limit by information type

40. How to get more targeted results
Tip #4:
Limit by subject

41. Subjects
• Are between 1-4 words that describe the main
topics associated with a book, article, etc.
• Are an excellent tool for finding more books,
articles, etc. on a topic
• You can find subjects…

42. On an item record

45. On your list of results

56. Your turn!
Let’s work on #2, 3, & 4

57. 360 Link
Tells you which other databases have the full-
text of an article

58. Let’s say these are ALL the databases the library owns

59. U-Search searches HALF the databases the library owns

60. 360 Link will link you to MORE of the databases the library owns

61. If there’s time at the end…

63. You could get this page…

64. Or you could get this page…

69. Things to keep in mind
Electronic items are sometimes faster and
easier to get than hard copies of items
Some libraries only ILL items for short periods of
time – so start your research ASAP!
Make sure you request items we don’t own

70. Your turn!
Complete the worksheet