Conducting Effective Searches

Using official Subjects (created by the database to the describe the articles) in your search can provide you with a more focused, accurate search.

If a database contains this feature, subjects can usually be found in the following ways:

• Displayed near a results list after a search has been placed  
  • The terms displayed are based on the original search that was placed

• Found in the record of an article or a book

• Located in a Thesaurus or Subject Index

• The Subjects / Subject Terms / Descriptors located can be used to revise a current search, or create a new search

• Keep your eyes peeled for words and phrases in the titles and abstracts of articles that could also be used as search terms

• Use these new search terms to create new search strategies until you come up with the best combination that will return the best list of results