Keyword Search Strategies in Databases

While most databases will allow you to search by Keyword or Subject, a keyword search is by far the more common way to search a database. The rest of this chapter will focus on keyword search strategies in databases that will allow you to focus or refine your searches. 

The following are common keyword search features found in databases:

• Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)
• Keyword phrase searching
• Truncation
• Limiting searches (by date, language, format,etc.)
• Help or search tips

​If you understand the concepts and terminology of these features you can search any database more efficiently and effectively.