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Weiss High School

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Research Tips and Tricks

When on Classlinks, click on the folder "Campus Library" 

                             

Campus Library

In that folder you'll see a link to Salem Press, and Gale Online.

These databases have electronic resources for you.

     

Gale
 
Salem Press

Here are some helpful tips and tricks when using keyword terms for searching:

  • Choose the right keywords. The keywords you choose are the most important factor in getting relevant results. Make sure to choose keywords that are specific to your topic and that are likely to be used in the documents you are searching for.
  • Use multiple keywords. Using multiple keywords will help you to narrow down your search results. For example, instead of just searching for "dogs," you could search for "dogs AND puppies" or "dogs AND breeds."
  • Use Boolean operators. Boolean operators, such as AND, OR, and NOT, can be used to further refine your search results. For example, the search "dogs AND puppies NOT chihuahua" will return results that include the words "dogs" and "puppies," but not the word "chihuahua."
  • Use quotation marks. Quotation marks can be used to search for exact phrases. For example, the search "the meaning of life" will only return results that contain the exact phrase "the meaning of life."
  • Use wildcards. Wildcards, such as the asterisk (), can be used to match multiple characters. For example, the search "dog" will return results that contain the words "dog," "dogs," "dogging," and so on.
  • Use thesauruses and dictionaries. If you are not sure how to phrase your search, you can use a thesaurus or dictionary to find synonyms and related terms.
  • Use advanced search features. Many search engines offer advanced search features that can help you to further refine your search results. These features can be found in the search engine's help documentation.

By following these tips, you can use keyword terms to improve your search results and find the information you need more quickly and easily.

Here are some additional tips:

  • Use the search engine's help documentation. Most search engines have a help section that can provide more information on how to use their advanced search features.
  • Be patient. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get the right search terms. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different things.
  • Use multiple search engines. Not all search engines are created equal. Some are better at finding certain types of information than others. Try using a variety of search engines to see which one works best for you.

I hope these tips help you to use keyword terms more effectively in your searches.