MAIN TIP: When using online resources like databases or journals, always start from the MSU Libraries website. Doing so ensures you'll have full-text access to the content we've purchased.
- Before you search, ask yourself:
- Do I have enough information to understand how to start my search?
- What types of resources might have the information I need? Ex: government documents, journal articles, dissertations, etc.
- Think about what words you'll use in your search. Make sure you think of synonyms or similar words and be ready to use those if your search results aren't what you expected.
- Think about how your topic could be divided into smaller parts if needed.
- Use the * symbol to search for multiple words beginning with the same letter.
- For example: environ* would find the words environment, environments, environmental, and other words starting with environ
- Use quotation marks "..." to find exact phrases.
- This can be particularly useful for title searching or for looking for specific phrases.
- Filtering results
- Most resources will provide options for sorting or narrowing your search.
- Sort by date, either newest first or oldest first
- Limit to only results in a certain language
- Limit to a specific content type, like journal article
- All resources have different interfaces and will have their own unique options for filtering results.
- Search operators
- OR expands your results. Ex: algorithm OR process
- AND narrows your results. Ex: algorithm AND AI
- NOT removes terms from your results. Ex: algorithm NOT AI
- Finding full text
- When reviewing your results, look for either the words Full text, PDF, or the Find Text@MSU icon
- If MSU does not have access to the full text, you can request it via Interlibrary Loan.
- While searching, keep in mind:
- Not all searches will need advanced searching techniques.
- Tailor your search to the type of resource you are using.
- Start your search with a few terms and keep things relatively general. This will allow you to review the search results for specific language to use or may help you figure out how to better narrow down your results. If you start your search too narrowly, you may miss out on important resources.
- Be flexible! Searches will change based on what you find or don't find.
- If you don't find what you need, contact Colleen Lyon, Engineering Librarian, or one of the other subject librarians.
