Library Resources

Keyword Searching

Keyword Search Rules for the Library Catalog and Databases

	Use AND to focus search and combine different aspects of your topic. Example: vegetarianism and environment
	Use OR to expand your search and find synonyms/related terms. Example: global warming or climate change
	Use NOT to exclude a word or phrase from your search. Example: emissions trading not United States

 Additional Search Tips

1. “Phrase search” – Use quotation marks” ” to search for a particular phrase.
   • Example: “graphic design”
2. Truncation * – Use an asterisk to find variations of a word. Put an asterisk following the root of the word to find all variations of that word, including singular and plural.
   • Example: design* (finds design, designers, etc.)
3. (Grouping/Nesting Keywords) – Use parentheses ( ) as a way to group all your search terms together.
   • Example: (graphic or design) and advertising

Taken from Research Guides@Tuftus

Evaluating Information

• Who wrote it?
• What gives them the right to write about it?
• Who published it?
• Why do they want to convince you of their argument?
• Do they talk about their methods and data and research?
• Can you find the background resources they used?
• Do they talk about other, seminal research?
• Is it current?
• Does it need to be current?

Useful links

Here are some useful links that will provide tips on evaluating information.

• Evaluating print vs. internet sources. This page helps you understand the differences between print and internet sources and how to evaluate them.
• Evaluating during reading . This website shows you the questions you should be asking yourself while you are reading a source.
• Evaluating information from the SWITCH Information Literacy Web Tutorials. This is an interactive tutorial that walks you through the steps to evaluate information.

The CRAAP Test

Are your sources credible and useful ?! The CRAAP Test is a list of questions that help you determine if the sources you found are accurate and reliable. Keep in mind that the following list is not static or complete. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.