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HIST 200: Approaches to History

Created in September 2017 for Dr. Mayhill Fowler's HIST 200 students.

Where should I start my search?

Before you can find a source for your assignment, you'll need to decide where you are going to look. Everyone knows about Google, but did you know there are many other online search tools? The duPont-Ball Library subscribes to over 250 databases. Each database has a unique collection of information, often with a specific type of content or subject area. Browse our list to select the best one for your needs. If you're not sure, OneSearch is a good starting point.

Search Tips

Did you get too many search results? Try this:
Add additional keywords- (ex: college AND stress AND academics)
Choose more specific search terms- (ex: hiking AND DeLand instead of hiking AND central Florida)
Exclude words from your search results- (ex: travel NOT “time travel”)
Use search filters­- limit by source type, date of publication, language, subject, & more.
Choice of database- select a database with a narrower scope of subject matter
Search by subject- search for your terms as a subject instead of as a keyword
Didn't get enough search results? Try this:
Choice of keywords- choosing the right keywords is key. Try experimenting with different terms. (ex: Movie OR cinema OR film OR motion picture)
Too narrow topic- try looking for sources on a broader, related topic (ex: hiking AND central Florida instead of hiking AND DeLand)
Too many search terms- begin with 1-2 search terms that best represent your topic, then add more as needed. Avoid long phrases.
Too many search filters- avoid using any filters that are unnecessary
Choice of database- select a database with a broader scope of subject matter
Use wildcard & truncation symbols- *, #, ? Allow you to search for multiple spellings of a term

 

Keyword vs. Subject Searching

Chart taken from Honors College Co-Curricular Workshops LibGuide, Lone Star College Library, Kingwood, TX