Database Searching Tips & Tricks

Asterisk

• When added to a root word, it searches for all variations of that word
• Eco* (will search for Ecologies, Ecological, Ecocriticism, Economy, etc.)

Quotation Marks

• Searches a specific phrase (handy for searching titles)
• “Oryx and Crake”

AND

• Narrows down your search results by grouping keywords together
• Octopus AND feeding habits

OR

• Expands your search results by searching for multiple keywords
• Octopus OR Octopod OR Cephalopod

If you need help with the library's databases, make sure to stop by the Library Service Desk or contact us.