Secrets of Super Searchers: Advanced Search & Citation Features in Databases

Kris Jacobson, GBS Library

Search powerfully

!

Find information quickly!

Document sources correctly!

Ways to improve your database search Select most appropriate sources in multi-

source databases (JSTOR, ProQuest, etc.) Limit dates Limit document types Use keywords & subjects in search results to

refine keyword searches (see also Advanced Keyword Searching tutorial)

Choosing SourcesIf you know of particular magazines or newspapers that are good for your topic, use the “publication title” search option in the advanced search screen and search for the publication by name.

Choosing Sources

If you wish to search only scholarly and professional materials (articles written and selected by experts in their fields), check the “peer reviewed” box.

Choosing Sources

In JSTOR, it is often helpful to limit your search by an area or discipline(s) of research.

Limiting datesIf you’re researching a topic where more recent information is more valuable than older information (e.g., science research, current events/politics, social issues), you can limit your search by Publication Date.

Limiting document types

You can also limit the document type to retrieve more targeted search results. Choosing “essay”, “feature” and “front page” documents will ensure that you will get in depth pieces and that you won’t get letters to the editor, book reviews, obituaries, or paragraph long pieces. Your document limits (if any) will vary with your topic and the nature of your project.

Limiting document types

Excluding “reviews” is especially helpful when searching for scholarly articles. Academics read and write a lot of book reviews. In most cases, you will not want to use them, so it’s best to avoid them.

Modifying Searches

In databases, you can often modify your searches right from your results page. No need to go back to the search page and re-do everything! Here is a tool for limiting dates.

Modifying Searches If you find an article is helpful and want to locate similar ones, take advantage of features that will help you find similar articles. In ProQuest, use the “more like this” option:

Look for synonyms and related terms for refining your search. In this case, “out of work” is a possible phrase to search along with our original term “unemploy*”.

Modifying Searches

You can limit by source type from your results screen in many of our databases as well.

Don’t forget to use the subject headings for keyword ideas or to search using the subject heading

If you need a URL for your article

Most databases have links to stable URLs at the bottom of the article. Use these URLs to come back to the article later; the URL in the address bar is only temporary.

If you need a URL for your article

Some databases have the stable URL on the top of the article.

Finally….Remember to take advantage of the citation tools in the databases.

Choose the “cite” or “cite this” tool from the taskbar

You may have to modify it slightly. For example, the article title should not be in all caps and you would have to slightly change the date and drop the “n/a,” but the rest of the citation is excellent. Look at the GBS Citation Guides or ask a librarian for more information.

Make sure to choose MLA style

Sometimes you will have to modify these citations a good deal

JSTOR citations bear almost no resemblance to MLA 7. However, all of the information you need to create a proper MLA 7 citation is included. See the GBS Citation Guides or ask a librarian for assistance.

Citation ToolsSome databases (more all the time) allow you to export citations to EasyBib . Remember, you will often need to modify the citation.

Citation Tools

Note the problems with the publication date as well as the need to remove the N/a and the document URL.

URL not needed in MLA 7

Citation Tools

You may need to access the Citation Tools in order to access the export function (this is true of the Gale databases & eBooks).

Citation Tools

Note disclaimer about citation formatting. It’s up to you to make sure that the citations are correct.

If you have any questions…. Contact your helpful librarians! Use our new chat feature (located on the main

LibGuides page) for real-time help during school hours.

Visit us at the Reference Desk in the Library during school hours

Email us anytime.