Skip to Main Content

English 111/111A

Scroll down to see the current page, and use the tabs to see the rest.

Generating and Using Keywords

University of Louisville Libraries: Research Assistance & Instruction. “Generating Keywords.” YouTube uploaded by UofLRA&I, 17 March 2017 https://youtu.be/DneENCsXJbI 

Learn about Databases

Databases all look different, but they work the same way. Once you know how to use one database, you can use them all. Step 1: The search bar at the top is where you enter a simple keyword or phrase. It’s best to start with only one. You can always add more keywords later if you need to. Step 2: Scan your results list when it appears under the search bar. Do the titles of the items in your results list look promising or not? There may be a better keyword for you to try. Step 3: Find the number of results between the search bar and the results list. Are there millions of results or only 100? You might want to add another keyword with the right Boolean operator. Step 4: Boolean search operators are to the left of the search bar. There you will see a drop-down menu offering a choice of AND, OR, or NOT. Using AND will narrow your results, so you have fewer. Using OR will broaden your results, so you have more. Using NOT will narrow your results by removing the ones with keyword you specify. Step 5: Now find the limits and narrow results by specific things like date, source type, and subject. In this example, limits are on the left side of the page. Step 6: Repeat. You can change your keywords, Boolean operators, and limits until your search results are exactly what you need.Databases all look different, but they work the same way. Once you know how to use one database, you can use them all.

Step 1: The search bar at the top is where you enter a simple keyword or phrase. It’s best to start with only one. You can always add more keywords later if you need to. 

Step 2: Scan your results list when it appears under the search bar. Do the titles of the items in your results list look promising or not? There may be a better keyword for you to try.

Step 3: Find the number of results between the search bar and the results list. Are there millions of results or only 100? You might want to add another keyword with the right Boolean operator.

Step 4: Boolean search operators are to the left of the search bar. There you will see a drop-down menu offering a choice of AND, OR, or NOT.

  • Using AND will narrow your results, so you have fewer.
  • Using OR will broaden your results, so you have more.
  • Using NOT will narrow your results by removing the ones with keyword you specify.

Step 5:  Now find the limits and narrow results by specific things like date, source type, and subject. In this example, limits are on the left side of the page.

Step 6: Repeat. You can change your keywords, Boolean operators, and limits until your search results are exactly what you need.