Don't ever pay for articles! Always access databases through the Library links. If we don't have a subscription to a journal, order the article through our interlibrary loan service. We'll pay, not you!
Write down your references. Write out or save a complete citation for each source you find; you may need it again later. Use citation management systems like Zotero or EndNote to help you.
Search multiple databases to be sure you don't miss the very best book, article, or summary on your topic.
Use the one good resource approach. When you find a good article/resource, look at the bibliography to see what resources that author used and try searching for them.
Ask a librarian for help!
Here is a brief, self-paced tutorial on the difference between keywords and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) and when you might want to use each.
3-minute video entitled, "Why Can't I Just Google?" Created by librarians at La Trobe University, Australia.
