Have you ever searched and received no results or way too many? Library databases do not search like Google, so it is important to understand how to choose your search terms and how to combine them to be a more successful searcher. With library databases, YOU have the search power. Watch the video below to learn about how to choose keywords and how to combine your keywords to broaden and narrow your search results.
Run Time: 3:45
NOTE: WCC Library Research Help is available with chat, email, and Book a Librarian.
Once you have determined your keywords, use the advanced search option of the library database to combine your search terms using the techniques below for broadening and narrowing your search results.
For example, in the Choosing Keywords video, the two keywords selected are "video games" and "violence." On the advanced search screen, you would enter "video games" in one box and "violence" in the other. Most advanced search screens have "AND" automatically selected between the search boxes.
Combine concepts with AND to find more relevant sources
nurses AND mindfulness
healthcare records AND privacy
elderly patients AND falls AND hospitalization
Use “double quotes” to find exact phrases
"mental health"
“hand hygiene”
“A comfortable cup of tea”
Use ORs and parentheses to combine synonyms or multiple topics
(nurses OR nurse OR nursing)
(burnout OR burn out OR job demands)
(well-being OR well being OR wellness)
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