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: "What is the future of racial divide in the United States?" *
Identify the main keywords to use in your search.  For example: FUTURE, RACIAL DIVIDE, UNITED STATES *
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, FUTURE AND RACIAL DIVIDE.  Every article or book in your search must have the keyword FUTURE and the keyword phrase RACIAL DIVIDE.  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 FUTURE AND RACIAL DIVIDE AND UNITED STATES.  Now all three keywords MUST be in every article or book.

OR allows a researcher to use synonyms and related terms to expand a subject (Ex. woman or female) (use or abuse) etc.
Try it Yourself!
Use your time now to write down THREE possible searches for your topic using keywords and the operator AND. AND will reduce the number of hits in the database. Why do you think that is?                     
Also: 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: Future AND Racial Divide, Outlook AND Racial Divide, Outlook AND Racial Disparity.

Write down these new words as you think of them to create a toolbox of keywords and their synonyms. Exchange them in your search to see what words work best!
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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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