Keywords and Search Terms

Searching library databases (searchable collections of information, usually in electronic format) can look and feel a bit like using a search engine like Google, but there are some important differences. The following short video (2 minutes and 34 seconds) from the Yavapai College Library concisely explains how using a library database to find articles differs from a web search engine.

"What Are Databases and Why You Need Them" Links to an external site. by Yavapai College Library. Links to an external site."Permissions from YCL as listed on YouTube: You may embed this video in your course/class/LibGuide."

Unlike Google, we can't ask a database a question. Library databases require that we search by concept or keyword and connect these terms using the Boolean search operators AND, OR, and NOT. Before starting our research, we should spend some time brainstorming keywords that describe our topic. 

When we search for articles, the best search terms are specific. Words that are too general or have many different meanings won't bring back the articles we need. Specialized vocabulary in the discipline or subject area can also make for excellent search terms. We usually come across this vocabulary as we read more about our topic. Also, encyclopedias are a great way to get ideas for keywords. 

Remember that searching databases takes practice. Even librarians need to do multiple searches in a database in order to get the best list of search results.