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Research Process

Finding Articles

How to Search for Articles Using Databases

Databases are a great place to start your search for scholarly articles since they provide the opportunity to search across a huge number of publications at once.
To find databases relevant to your subject matter, check out the subject guide on your area of interest.

TIP: When using the databases, try BOOLEAN searching. Boolean describes the connecting word you use between your search terms such as AND, OR, & NOT.
Using these connectors allows you the ability to link search terms, so you can find articles that address multiple subjects. These options are sometimes found in drop down menus where you enter your search terms, or you will have to enter them yourself between terms.  

Adding OR between search terms will search for all records with one term OR the other (this is a broader search tool).
Using AND between words will search for all records with BOTH or ALL search terms applied.  
If you use NOT between the terms, it will search for the FIRST word in your search string and NOT the other.  

Example: Searching for "global warming" AND "Texas" will pull up resources that address both global warming and Texas.

Searching for Articles in Ebsco

 

Searching for Articles in ProQuest

Searching for Articles in Gale