Introduction

Search Terms

Database Selection

Start the Search

Advanced Search

Subject Headings

Boolean

Truncation

Limiting

Adapt the Search

Web Concerns

Printable Checklist

Start the Search: No Long Phrases

Don't type in a long string of words unless you want to search on that exact phrase. With nearly all database search engines, if you search on a phrase such as combating plagiarism among college students, you will retrieve articles that contain that EXACT phrase, a highly unlikely occurrence. In this database search, only one article used that exact phrase.