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Research help

This guide will help you at all stages of the research process, from choosing a topic to citing your sources.

When to search in library databases

Library databases are great for finding articles (and eBooks and streaming videos).

This is because databases search through thousands of journals and magazines. Some databases exclusively offer electronic books (eBooks) or videos. Many databases are subject-specific, meaning all the contents in them are related by topic or field of study.

It is more effective to search in a library database when you:

  • Are searching for information on a very specific topic. Use Advanced Search to get really specific in the searches you create.
  • Want information created from a discipline-specific perspective. Different disciplines approach research with different priorities guiding their work. (Consider how an early-childhood educator might write about funding education, versus an economist, or a politician, or a child psychologist). Subject-specific databases help you find research from the perspective(s) you seek.
  • Want to use specialized tools to help you search more efficiently. Databases offer filters like date, narrow by topic, type of research conducted, even length of research paper. Specialized databases have discipline-specific filters too. Ask a librarian for more info about this!
  • Need scholarly or peer-reviewed articles. Our databases let you filter results for these, and they are free for you to access.
  • Want pre-made MLA or APA citations. Databases are used by researchers and scholars (like you) who need to check sources and cite sources, so citations are built in.

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!

Database guides

The database guides linked below were created specifically for CCC classes.

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