Preparing to search a database (continued)

Use the Obvious

If you have used any of the library's research databases, you know that searching for an obvious word or phrase can sometimes retrieve useful articles. So, if your research assignment deals with the Ku Klux Klan, simply selecting a social science database and entering the phrase ku klux klan will retrieve relevant sources. But research assignments are seldom that straightforward. Assignments tend to be more nuanced and difficult to pin down. For example, your paper might deal with the negative impact of short-term missions, or how the male stereotype has changed in movies. There are no obvious words or phrase because the topics are too complex. To retrieve useful sources for these topics, and for most research assignments you will encounter while at Calvin, you will need to know a few essential search techniques.

These pages were written by Glenn Remelts. and edited by Jeffrey L. Nyhoff and Nancy Zylstra
©2005 Calvin University (formerly Calvin College), All Rights Reserved

If you encounter technical errors, contact computing@calvin.edu.