Two of the most common search strategy options:
For example "Response to Intervention" will search all words in this order as a complete phrase.
education* will search education OR educational
(Note that databases are not all searched the same way. You may need to consult the help section of your database to find out what types of features the database supports.)
Tutorial: Boolean searching
Most searches require more than one word or concept. Here's how to connect your search terms with Boolean operators:
Use the word AND (in all caps) to connect keywords and narrow your search:
Education AND Politics
Use the word OR (in all caps) to broaden your search. “OR” is often used for synonyms:
Literacy OR Reading
Use the word NOT (in all caps) to eliminate a word:
Qualitative NOT interview*
Use the thesaurus to find search terms and/or to do subject searching. Most databases have a thesaurus that is specific to that database. The thesaurus can help you choose the right search terms for that database. It can also help you focus your search on a subject area.
