International Students' Guide to Research Skills and Using the KU Libraries: Searching Skills

This guide, designed especially for the needs of international students, provides explanations of how to do research using the KU Libraries' resources. It includes links, tutorials, and step-by-step instructions on developing research 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.

Selecting Keywords and Developing an Effective Search Strategy

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

Keywords

Combining Search Terms - Boolean Searches

Boolean Searches

Effective Search Techniques - tutorial

Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) if you can't find something

Research Skills - Link to additional resource page

See additional page in this guide related to Databases.

Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian

We can help with your research questions -- contact us by chat, phone, email, text or at a Research Help desk.