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COMM111 Smith

Develop your topic, brainstorm search terms, and find credible resources.

Library databases - your academic search engines

Search for resources on your topic in these databases. In these databases you will find the free, full text of encyclopedias for background research, articles that compare/contrast controversial topics, newspapers, magazines, and peer-reviewed journals.

No full text? No problem!

If you find an awesome article in a database and CCC Library does not have the full text, get it for free anyway! Fill out the Interlibrary Loan request form, linked below, and CCC Library will email you the article in a couple days.

Search strategy overview - databases

Use these tipsWork smarter, not harder. when you search in CCC Library databases. Your search results will be more focused and relevant to your topic!

  1. Use quotation marks around phrases and search terms to search for the words in the exact order you would like, instead of separately.
    Basic search, "emotional support animals"
  2. Use different search boxes for each different idea that makes up your overall topic.
    Advanced search

 

Too Many Results? Too Few Results?
  1. Add in additional search terms.
  2. Limit to peer-reviewed journals.
  3. Limit by date.
  4. Limit by subject.
  5. Limit to items with full-text availability.
  6. Change the search box dropdown menu to "Abstract" or "Subject."
  1. Verify that you spelled everything correctly.
  2. Erase unnecessary search terms.
  3. Try different search terms.
  4. Use the Boolean operator OR between search terms.
  5. Remove any limits you may have added to an earlier search.
  6. Change the search box dropdown menu to "All Text" or "Entire Document."

Need help with too many or too few results? Call, email, chat with, or stop by and see a librarian!

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