Add Multiple Search Terms:
“AND” narrows a search by requiring that all of the search terms appear in the results.
“NOT” narrows a search by eliminating the selected search term from the results. This can save time that would otherwise be wasting sorting through results that are potentially unrelated to your topic.
“OR” broadens a search, which is useful when researching topics that are referred to or spelled different ways (e.g., theater or theatre, college or university). Change the Index “Document Title” usually yields a smaller set of results than “Keyword” or “Abstract.” Be aware of where within the database you are searching for information.
To search for books, DVDs, videos, and government documents available here in the library, use the library catalog. Mabee Library shares its catalog with multiple libraries, including the Washburn Law Library and other local libraries. The system automatically searches for materials owned by all libraries who share the catalog; however, you can limit your search to only Mabee Library’s holdings by selecting “Mabee” in the Location box.
Keyword searching is the default mode but Subject searching generally gets more focused results.
To search by subject, author, or title, use the advanced search option. The advanced search option should also be used to combine multiple search terms using connectors such as “and” or “not.”
Mabee Library has both “general” databases, including Academic OneFile and Academic Search Complete, and “subject-specific” databases. Both can be excellent sources of information. The general databases contain articles relating to a variety of disciplines, from the humanities to the hard sciences.
Subject-specific databases focus only on articles related to that subject area. For example, Social Sciences Full Text includes information relating to anthropology, criminology, gender studies, psychology, social work, and sociology.
To access databases that relate to your subject area, scroll down to “databases by subject” and select your discipline from the drop-down box.