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Environmental Horticulture

Search Strategies

Overlap icon (from Krishansky)Digital searching can work well when you combine your search words with "Boolean" connectors.

Boolean Connector What does it do?
AND
  • narrows the results of a search, though without this operator, the AND is usually implied.
  • This searches only for items containing both search terms.
  • Example: health disparities AND urban
OR
  • expands or broadens the results of a search. This searches for either term, thus widening the possibilities.
  • This is helpful when searching using synonyms. ("OR is more.")
  • Example search string: genetically modified OR transgenic OR GMO
NOT
  • excludes specific terms that may be clouding your result set with irrelevant results not related to your topic.
  • This is helpful when trying to remove some results.
  • Example: nutrition NOT diet

"Filter my results" section with "Peer-reviewed Journals" checkedOther strategies:

  • Identify key concepts. Include the useful or relevant keywords in your search, as well as synonyms, rather than a full question.
  • Use "Filters" to limit your source type, time period, and location.
  • Need "scholarly" articles? Use the "Peer-Reviewed Journals" filter.

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