SCR PHIL155 / Ethics of the Beginning and End of Life / R. Weinberg / FA25

• Learning how to search databases is important because it is a little different than searching Google. 
• This section will help you learn how to create searches and limit the thousands of records in the database to retrieve relevant information.
• If you are having difficulty finding results, Ask Us. The Claremont Colleges Librarians are happy to help.

Start with a general topic/broad keyword(s) then narrow as you build.

• Use a Thesaurus to find alternate terms
• Brainstorm for keywords that are most important in defining your topic
• Break your topic into categories using questions
  • Who? [broad topic] American Space Exploration
  • What? [specific topic/group] Manned Space Missions
  • Where? [geographically] Moon Exploration
  • When? [time period] 1960's
  • Why? [why did this action take place/why does it matter] Quest to leave Earth
  • How? [how was this achieved/not achieved?] Rocket to the Moon: Space Exploration

Using Boolean Operators

Boolean operators connect your search words together to either narrow or broaden your set of results. Using Boolean Operators will provide better and more accurate results. The three basic Boolean operators are: AND, OR, and NOT.

• AND: Retrieves articles that contain ALL terms. NARROWS down the search.
  Search example: "Child Obesity" AND "California"
   
• OR: Retrieves articles with ANY of the terms. BROADENS the search.
  Search example: Obesity OR overweight children OR juveniles
   
• NOT: Eliminates articles containing the SECOND term. NARROWS the search.
  Search example: Depression AND teens NOT adults