Search Basics

Writing a good search involves three simple steps.

Step 1. Understand what information is wanted.

A. One of the best ways to do this is to write a short sentence which summarizes the concept or concepts you are exploring.

The purpose of my paper is to explore the relationship, if any, between violence
on television and childrens' behavior.

B. Highlight the main ideas in your concept sentence.

The purpose of my paper is to explore the relationship, if any, between violence
on television and childrens' behavior.

These are the concepts you want to be in all of the articles you find - so - you want:

violence - - - television - - - children

Why weren't the words relationship and behavior included in the search? I want to know the relationship. I also want to know about any behavioral effects there might be

The truth is that there is no perfect way a search can be constructed. To me the key words were children, television and violence. Finding articles with these words will likely discuss the relationship among them. And, it is also likely the articles will discuss effects upon behavior

If too many articles were found I might add one or both of them.

Remember, experimentation and exploration are key ingredients in any search and you may well have to enter a search in several ways before the best one is found.

Step 2. Create a search statement. The most basic of search statements is simply to connect the concepts you want with the command word AND, and enter it in the search box as illustrated below.

violence AND television AND children

Step 3. Modify your seach as necessary.

The Search Examples Page provides a number of methods for modifying your search if the method described above isn't finding what you need. There are search examples which will

You are encouraged to consult with a librarian for assistance in helping to develop the best search possible.

Click here or use your back button to return to the previous screen.

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This page is maintained by P. Charles Livermore
Reference Librarian, St. John's University, New York.
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439
718 990 5330
It was last updated on Oct 1 2015.
Suggestions and corrections are welcome and should be sent to him.