Gathering Information

Searching Tips: Keywords

• Use multiple keywords to search all sources. Cars, automobiles, and mustang will yield some differing results.

  Print Resources

• Use more general keywords when searching in Spectrum (Blake’s online catalog tutorial). It is searching the small amount of information on a catalog card that describes a book, and you will get more complete results if you choose more general subjects. Use specific keywords that describe your search when using the table of contents or index of the book. (Great Depression in Spectrum and Stock Market Crash within the book).

  Online Subscription Databases

• Databases are generally either media specific (include information with certain formats) or subject specific. Use those facts to help you choose appropriate databases based on your topic and questions.
• Databases usually have three search options each requiring different types of keywords:

  • Topic Browse (very broad topics and general keywords)
  • Subject search (simple one-two word subjects)
  • Advanced search (when you need to describe your research question in more detail use multiple specific keywords)

  Internet searches on the free Web

• Use multiple searching tools and keyword combinations when searching the free web. No search engine searches the entire internet
• Be very selective when using internet sites. Use evaluated sites found through databases when available.
• Carefully record the facts that describe your source for your Works Cited page. (worksheets available in the Media Center computer area and online)