· Using subject searching is different than keyword searching.
· Subject searching is less flexible than keyword searching, as it works off a pre-existing list of subject headings created by the database.
· You can focus your topic by using subject headings, or use a subject heading as a keyword in a keyword search if it is relevant.
Examples of subject headings listed under an article citation in the Infotrac database:
Subject Terms – view other documents related to these subjects
- Surveys (155)
Sex Roles (5127)
- Surveys (44)
Women (24957)
Women’s Media (18)
- Portrayals (2353)
Searching for books in a library catalog or articles in a database can be a challenge. Sometimes it seems like there are too many things on your topic and other times, nothing at all. Constructing a successful search takes time and thought and will usually bring useful results quickly. Here are some suggestions for ways to enhance your search capabilities!
· Keyword searching is the most flexible way to search as the database looks for the exact keywords you put into the search box.
· You need to brainstorm key terms related to your topic. Thinking of synonyms for your key terms is helpful and helps you to refocus your search, creating more possibilities for successful database hits.
· There is no one right keyword search. You will probably have to try different combinations of keywords to get a number of relevant citations.
· Use “and” for a keyword search to narrow and focus.
· Use * (star or asterisk) for truncation – to retrieve all forms of the word and to broaden your search..
women and images and media
body image and women and media
wom* (Retrieves the terms: woman, women, woman’s women’s)
wom* and images and magazine
Identify good keywords to use in your search by thinking about the main ideas inherent in your topic.
Consider using synonyms of your keywords to help find even more information. For example, if you are looking for articles about the benefits of a womens college, you might use the keywords and synonyms below:
Keyowords: women education benefit
Synonyms 1: single sex college advantage
Synonyms 2: female school leverage
This technique can lead you to many more useful articles....