Developing a Search in USM Library Databases
The following section will take you through the process of finding keywords, and creating a search strategy
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Write down your topic in the form of a question.  For example: How is Psychology used in Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper?" *
Identify the main keywords to use in your search.  For example: Psychology, Gilman, Yellow Wallpaper, *
Using AND, OR Searching
Connecting keywords with the words AND or an OR will define how the keywords work together.

If you connect keywords with an AND you are telling the database: "the following keywords must be in every article in my results!" For example, Psychology AND Gilman.  Every article or book in your search must have the keyword Psychology and the keyword Gilman.  If it does not have both keywords, it will not be included in the results.  You can search more than two keywords at a time, for example Psychology AND Gilman AND "Yellow Wallpaper."  Now all three keywords MUST be in every article or book.

Using OR will tell the database to search for either of the keywords, meaning that only one of the keywords need be present in each result.
Use your time now to write down THREE possible searches for your topic using keywords and the operator AND. (Hint: What keywords could you use besides the ones you are already have, and still search the same topic?)  Be prepared to share your answers.   For example: Gilman AND Psychology,  Gilman AND Emotion, Yellow Wallpaper AND Criticism AND Psychology *
Demo by Librarian
Go to the database Academic Search Complete or another suggested by the librarian. Try the three searches you created.  Were you happy with the results?  Why or why not?  Be prepared to share your answers. *
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