LB 492: Darwin's Law (Pennock): Using Databases

1. Navigate to the library Databases page.
2. Click on the dropdown menu on the left, which says "All Subjects." 

   

3. Select the subject you're interested in. (Note: If you want to try a second subject, go back to the original Databases page and use the dropdown menu again. If you are looking at the Biological Sciences list, for example, using the dropdown menu from that page will only show you databases that appear in that list). 

Tips for Searching

1. Use keywords.

If you are starting your search, trying use keywords, rather than full sentences.

Example:

• algorithm natural selection rather than How can natural selection be modeled by algorithms?

2. Put phrases in quotes.

If you are searching for a phrase, such as functional adaptation, put the entire phrase in double quotes. This will tell the database to only find results that contain the exact phrase, rather than one or two of the individual words.

3. Use AND to narrow your search.

If you have two or more words or concepts that you want to find, use AND (must be capitalized) to tell the search engine to only look for items that contain both words.

Example:

• virulence AND parasite

​4. Use OR to expand your search.

If you can think of common synonyms for one of your keywords, you can have the database search for articles that contain either one by using OR (always capitalize!)

Example: 

• leprosy OR Hansen's disease OR HD