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Capstone (Class I): Locate Information

Databases

Courtesy of North Carolina State University Libraries.

Go to Keefe Library Databases 

Boolean Operators

Improve your search results using Boolean Operators

Create a Boolean Search

Courtesy of University of Arizona Library.

Search Strategy Builder - UA Library

Search Strategy Builder

The Search Strategy Builder is a tool designed to teach you how to create a search string using Boolean logic. While it is not a database and is not designed to input a search, you should be able to cut and paste the results into most databases' search boxes.

Concept 1 and Concept 2 and Concept 3
Name your concepts here    
Search terms Search terms Search terms
List alternate terms for each concept.

These can be synonyms, or they can be specific examples of the concept.

Use single words, or "short phrases" in quotes

or

or

or

or

or

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Search Tips from Google Engineer

Types of sources

Before starting your research, it's important to understand the types of information sources available.  There are many ways to locate different types of information. Much is available digitally on the web or the Keefe Library website (go to  databases  or  eBooks). However, much more is available in the public library, the shelves of the Keefe LIbrary or an academic or college  library. Different types of information include:

  • Reference Sources: Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
  • Books & eBooks 
  • Scholarly journal articles
  • Videos (speeches, performances, newsreel, sports, how-to, documentaries, etc.)
  • Images
  • Current events articles and podcasts from newspapers, magazines, radio and journals.

Search on Google

Google Search TIPS

define:query

To find a definition of a word (ex. define:vernacular)

filetype:query

To find information that often appears in a particular type of document pdf, Excel (xls), PowerPoint (ppt) (ex. coastal erosion in northeastern united states filetype:pdf to find more scholarly published papers)

intitle: or inurl:

To locate a search term in page title or within the url of a page

-query
Use - to exclude a word (ex. jaguar speed -car)

~query
Use ~ to include similar words (ex. ~food facts includes nutritional facts)

query site:edu or query site:nytimes.com
Use site: command to search a specific domain or webpage

* as a Wildcard
psychiatr* will find psychiatry, psychiatrist, psychiatric

Number Range using ...
ex. 1900...1950

site:country code (ex. treaties 1900...1960 site:za to find information on treaties in South Africa between 1900 and 1960) 

See a list of country codes

Google Web Search