Search these key databases to find the primary sources you need for your writing assignments!

So you've started your search. What do you do if....

...you're getting too many results?

Ttry these tips to narrow down your search:

• Use more specific terms, like "light intensity" instead of light.

• Use AND (in caps) to narrow a search. A search forphotosynthesis AND (moisture AND humidity) will bring back only those records that contain all the words:

• Try a subject search instead of a keyword search. Find a relevant article through keyword searching, then use the subject headings (also called descriptors) in the article's record to focus your search.
• Perform a keyword search, but limit your keyword to the title or abstract.

...you're not getting enough results? 

If your searches come up with no or only one or two articles, try these strategies before assuming there isn't any information out there.

• Check your spelling. Databases are programmed to identify some misspellings, but not all of them.

• Try broader search words. For example, instead of searching for "Arabidopsis thaliana", try searching for "flowering plant", or even just plant. You can always narrow it down again!

• Use OR (in caps) to broaden a search, retrieving records that contain any of the words you search for. A search for photosynthesis AND (humidty OR moisture) will return records using either term for your variable:

• Try a different database. Each database has different strengths in coverage!

...STILL not finding anything? Ask a librarian for help!