⇒ Search by KEYWORDS
- Use keywords that represent the major concept(s) in your topic. A keyword search searches for those concepts anywhere in the catalog or database record
- Once you have located some relevant items, you can do a more refined search using the subject terms (sometimes called descriptors) that appear in those records
⇒Search by SUBJECT
- Subject terms are standardized terms developed to describe materials listed in the catalog or database.
- Subject terms are not always commonly used terms. Searching by keyword first is an easy way to determine relevant subject terms
- You can then click on the link in the subject field of the record or use the search box to search by subject. The catalog and most databases will have a drop-down menu where you can choose to search by subject (or descriptor).
⇒GUIDED (OR ADVANCED) SEARCH
- Combine subject terms and/or keywords to search for primary materials using the drop-down menus located in the advanced search screens of the catalog or databases.
- Consider limiting your search by publication date. Use the time period you are researching. Materials published within that timeframe MAY BE (but are not necessarily) primary--you will need to evaluate if they are first-hand accounts.
- Try using keywords that represent the type(s) of materials you are looking for such as
