| Use Specific Phrase |
Use quotes" " around your search terms to find a specific phrases, rather than the words separately. |
| Site Specific |
Type site:, followed by a url to search only that website.
Type site:.edu to only retrieve websites from a university or college.
Type site:.uk to only retrieve websites from with the top-level domain country code for the United Kingdom
|
| Document Types |
Type: file:ppt to only find Powerpoint files. Repeat for other document extensions: .doc, .pdf, etc. |
| OR |
Use OR between two similar terms to ask Google to return websites with either term. |
| Use Google Advanced Search |
Go to Google's Advanced Search page to more search options |
Learn how to develop effective keywords
Start with broader searches, and then narrow your focus.
- Keep a running list of terms you have tried, where you have tried them, and what worked and what didn't.
- This will help you reduce wasted effort redoing work you've already done.
- Use synonyms and any suggested subject terms or keywords
- i.e. mobile banking, mobile commerce, mobile money, transfer payments
- Add descriptive keywords like "forecast," "market," and "sales" to your search to retrieve more relevant results.
If you have questions about your specific topic, contact your librarian!
