When searching the the catalog and databases for sources, do not type in whole sentences.
Look at your readings for ideas on topics. Write down possible search terms to use in the databases
There is no one 'correct' search word to use. Different keywords will give you more results. Think of words that mean the same or something similar as your topic and try those words too. E.g. Drones, Unmanned Aircraft, UAS, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
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You may need to broaden or narrow your search terms depending on your results :
Search GPS (broader) instead of Geolocation ; or Retinal Scanning (narrower) instead of Biometrics.
Use the asterisk * to truncate words and widen your search. fingerprint* will search for fingerprint, fingerprints and fingerprinting.
Use quotation marks to keep phrases together: e.g. "DNA Database"
e.g. search "Social Media" AND Privacy and Geosocial
or Facebook* AND Privacy AND Geolocation
"Social Media" AND Location Tagging AND Apps
Try your search terms in different combinations to get the greatest number of results.
Use OR to EXPAND with synonyms:
Covid 19 OR Coronavirus
Misinformation OR Fake News
Natural Disasters OR hurricanes OR tornadoes
One way to visualize Boolean Operators is to use a Venn diagram. See below or watch the video to the right.
Use truncation (asterisk) and wildcards (usually a question mark or exclamation point).
Child* brings up child, children, childhood, and any other word that starts with the root "child." This works in most of the databases.
Globali?ation brings up items with the words globalization or globalisation.
If you don't use truncation and wildcards, some databases will look for an exact match to the words you type, and you may miss some relevant materials.
