Subject & Course Guides: International Students' Guide to Research Skills and Using the KU Libraries: Searching Skills

Search Strategies

Well-developed SEARCHING SKILLS are at the core of good research. Using effective search strategies is vital to finding relevant sources. Selecting appropriate KEYWORDS and using BOOLEAN SEARCHES will greatly improve the quality and focus of your search results, especially while using DATABASES.

This page provides links to handouts, resources and tutorials focused on SEARCHING SKILLS, including keyword and Boolean searching.

Beginning your Research - Choosing Keywords for your Topic
This worksheet guides students in the process of selecting appropriate keywords to be used as search terms. With a list of appropriate search terms, students can develop a strong search statement or research question.
Beginning your Research - Choosing Keywords for your Topic
What is Boolean searching?
Search Strategies for Databases

Selecting Keywords and Developing an Effective Search Strategy

Keywords Worksheet
(Loyola Marymount University)
Search Tips
These short videos show how to use search terms effectively.
Keyword Search Techniques
(Trent University)
Keyword Search Techniques - Truncation & Wildcards
(Trent University)
KU Libraries - Effective Searching
(KU Libraries)

Effective Keyword Searching

What and where to search? Help for researchers

Subject and course guides are created and maintained by KU librarians and staff to provide pre-selected and focused research sources, strategies, and support to the KU community. The recommended guides will help you find the right databases and other resources for your research or course, while providing information about how to find and use our services.

Access the guides from the Get Help: Subject & Course Guides link on the KU Libraries home page. Direct link: Research Guides