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Common Database Searching Errors
- Thinking that library databases search like Google. With a bibliographic database listed on the University Libraries homepage, what you type is what you get. Literal search. Google does not operate this way. Google allows for typos, anticipates synonyms, and ranks results by relevancy. Though some library databases use relevancy ranking, many do not. Construct your search statement carefully and beware of misspellings.
- Typing your search in the search boxes in the form of a sentence or using vague words like "causes" or "relationship." This may work in Google or Ask.com, but not the library databases. Reduce a natural language search statement to key concepts. Note: Use the asterisk (*) to search for roots of words, such as fami* for family or families.
- Using AND instead of OR. For synonyms, use OR. For example, evaluation or assessment. I usually put synonyms in the same search box by using OR and combine concepts between search boxes. The default Boolean operator or connector between boxes is AND. I rarely use NOT, but it can be helpful in specific situations.
Rules of Thumb for Database Searches
- Less is More: the fewer words the better. If your search is unsuccessful, consider reducing the number of terms.
- The search connector "AND" shrinks the pool of results, which "OR" expands it.
- Use "OR" for synonyms. For example, "global warming" OR "climate change" OR "greenhouse effect"
- Use quotes for phrases: "United States of America"
