CMP-125 (Titus, Spring 2011)

For the following keyword search,

below is the database's controlled vocabulary and limits, where you can narrow your results, or start a new search.

• When you start searching in a database, you may not know what the controlled vocabulary is for that topic in that database. 

The best way to proceed is to start with a keyword search (the default option in databases),  using Boolean logic and truncation to combine your terms.

Then, use the limits and controlled vocabulary (subject terms or descriptors) the database provides. Depending on the database, these might be displayed in a sidebar on the left or at the top in the list of results.  

Limits include:

• Date ranges 

• Limit to Scholarly/Peer Reviewed

• Other publication types and formats
  

• Items that are full text in the database you are searching

• Geographical location

Narrow your current search or start a new search using the subject terms. Doing so will help increase the relevancy of the articles retrieved. (See illustration in the box to the left.)

When you click on a particular record, the controlled vocabulary will be included in the full citation.  There may also be an abstract, or summary, that is another potential source of keywords or concepts for you to search.