University
of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville
Search Strategies for Electronic Sources
When you use computerized search tools, such as
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the online catalog
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computer-based indexes (either online through InfoLinks, on the Internet
or on CD-ROM) sometimes known as databases
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many internet search tools--
use Boolean operators/connectors (and, or, and not) between your
terms to refine or expand your search and get better results. For example:
![[(China) and not (Japan)] diagram](chinot.gif)
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"And" between terms makes the search more specific--think about "baseball
and salaries" as a search instead of "baseball" alone;
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"Or" broadens a search (housing or building or construction);
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"Not" or "no" or "and not" focuses a search on a particular aspect or area
of the search results: (mexico) not (new mexico), and eliminates records
with the other term(s).
If you do not find what you need, try other terms, concepts or phrases.
Searching using sentences or long phrases, such as: "women in the military
combat forces" probably won't work, but "women and combat and military"
probably will.
If you still do not find what you need, try a different database,
email or call the Reference department at 575-6645.
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