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Biology 200: Writing in Biology: Search Tips

Search Tips Slides

If you'd like to review the search tips slideshow from class, check out the 

Biology Search Tips

This Common Search Tips (2:16 minutes) tutorial provides an overview of commonly used keyword search tips. Generally, you will start your research with keyword searches, so it is a good idea to memorize these tips. Also, instructions for searching databases, including date and format limits and other searches types, can be found on help screens in the databases.
Sample search:

("african clawed frog*" OR xenopus) AND "bisphenol a"

Advanced Search

In addition to entering a keyword search in a single box, most databases have an advanced search which allows you to create more nuanced searches with multiple boxes.

Advanced Search: Graphic shows example of a blank Advanced Search form. First line has a text box, then the word “in,” and then a “Choose Field to Search” menu. Second line starts with menu showing the word AND, then a text box, then the word IN, and then a “Choose Field to Search” menu. Third line starts with menu showing the word AND, then a text box, then the word IN, and then a “Choose Field to Search” menu. Below these three lines is a SEARCH button.

In the below example, you will see that each text box is focused on one concept. In addition to the use of Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT), universal tips like putting common short phrases in quotation marks and using the * (asterisk) to find endings at the end of a root word are used.
   Line one: synonyms for indigenous people
   Line two: synonyms for united states
   Line three: the phrase financial literacy.

Advanced Search: Graphic shows example of an in-use Advanced Search form. First line has a text box containing the search terms: open quotation marks native American asterisk close quotation marks, OR in capital letters, open quotation marks American Indian asterisk close quotation marks, OR in capital letters, indigenous. After that box is the word IN, and then a “Choose Field to Search” menu. Second line starts with menu showing the word AND, then a text box containing the search: USA, OR in capital letters, open quotation marks united states close quotation marks. After that box is the word IN, and then a “Choose Field to Search” menu. Third line starts with menu showing the word AND, then a text box with the search terms: open quotation marks financial literacy close quotation marks, the word IN, and then a “Choose Field to Search” menu. Below these three lines is a SEARCH button.

Biology Database Tutorials

To access library databases, select the Articles/Databases tab on the box on the Andersen Library homepage. Here is a video tutorial that demonstrates Accessing Library Databases (0:59 minutes).

Below are some tutorials about searching in specific databases.

How do you know whether an article is scholarly or not? Check out the Scholarly Journal, Trade Magazine, & Popular Magazine guide.