The library has access to over 80 databases. Each database is centered around different subjects, so choose a database based on the subject of your course/research topic. Browse the A-Z Database List on the DSC website to see descriptions of each.
Think of words that best summarize your research topic and perform your first search. If you don't find what you're looking for, search again with synonyms and alternate phrasings. If you find a relevant article and need more, you can browse the article's abstract to find new keywords relevant to your topic and search again. Be specific, but not too narrow. For example, a search for just "Artificial Intelligence" is too broad. A search with "Artificial Intelligence" in one line, "education" in the second, and "ethics" in the third is much more specific.
"Boolean operator" is a fancy term for "AND," "OR," and "NOT." Most databases have these built in as a drop-down option next to the search bars. These allow you to search multiple keywords at once and to limit or expand your search results. For example, a search for "service animals AND mental health" will show articles that mention both. "Service animals NOT mental health" will exclude articles about service animals used for mental health.
In addition to the Boolean operator drop-downs, database search bars have drop-down options that allow you to specify things like title (the keywords should appear in the article's title) and all text (the keywords should appear anywhere in the article). Additionally, you may limit your results further after performing the search with options for publication date range, source type, peer reviewed, and subject. The subject limiter helps specify your keywords. For example, if you search "octopus," the subject limiter might give you suggestions for "biodiversity," "animal behavior," "reproduction," etc. Not all databases have the same limiter options.