It can be difficult to determine how or where to begin a search for information, but these tips and tricks should get you started. If you have questions or need assistance contact Andrea Kepsel, Animal Science Librarian, at akepsel@msu.edu.
1) When starting a search, think about the main keywords of your search. Be as specific as possible.
2) It may be necessary to search in multiple locations in order to find all the necessary literature on your topic.
3) Review articles provide a thorough introduction to a topic and often have extensive bibliographies that can be used to find additional literature on that topic.
4) When accessing the electronic databases always go through the MSU Libraries. This will give you access to the full text of articles available in the Libraries' journal subscriptions.
5) Not everything is available online. Print resources are available at the Main Library and can be checked out using your MSU ID.
6) If you need a resource not available at the MSU Libraries you can request it through InterLibrary Loan.
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Truncation * Searches for multiple word endings Example: ethic* = ethic, ethics, ethical, ethically |
Search Connectors AND / OR / NOT Can be used to narrow or broaden a search Example: genetic AND engineering (narrow) |
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Quotation Marks "..." Search for the exact phrase Example: "animal welfare" |
Limits/Filters Criteria set to limit or narrow your search results Example: language, publication date, article type |
These guides provide an introduction to searching PubMed and Web of Science. They include tips for building a search strategy that may be useful in other databases.