Tips for Effective Database Searching
1. Make a list of the important keywords for your topic. You will use them in your search for information.
2. Put important phrases in quotation marks to find those words next to each other in a document or article. For example:
"market strategy" and Pepsi
3. Make use of the limiter boxes to focus your search. These are usually found on the lower part of the search screen. For example:
"market strategy" and Pepsi (search terms)
Make use of Publication Type in the databases as well. In ProQuest Central, type in your search words and then put a check mark in the box next to "Market Research" in the Document Type box that is below.
4. Look in more than online database. Due to agreements with various publishers, you will find different things in each database.
Citing Your Sources in APA
You can find the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Assocation in the Library at BF 76.7.P83 2010, or ask the Librarian at the Reference Desk for assistance. Or try one of the online links below:
- APA Tutorial for Style and FormattingThis resource includes samples of APA paper structure, citation examples, tutorial videos, etc.
Tips for Effective Internet Searching
To make your internet searching more effective, use these searching strategies:
1. Put phrases in quotation marks. For example: "retail prices".
2. Limit your search to certain types of websites, such as government or educational. This will eliminate the junk websites that are trying to sell you something. To do that type your search words followed by a "+" and the word site:.gov. For example:
"retail prices" and milk +site:.gov
This will only bring back government websites (.gov). If you want websites from educational institutions, enter: +site:.edu. For organizational websites, enter: +site:.org
3. The websites at the top of the list are not necessarily the best ones. Be sure to look at several. The ones at the top are there because they either paid money to be there, or they have been looked at a lot (that doesn't mean they are good).
If you need individual assistance, please contact the Reference Librarian at 333-6245, or you can call me at the number on the right.
