Search Strategies
Before you begin searching for resources, it is important to consider keywords related to your search, as well as synonyms and related words. You may find that a synonym provides more results. For example, if you were searching saxophone, you may get more specific and search for alto or tenor saxophone, or you may broaden your search by using winds, single reed, or aerophone as part of your search. These keywords can be used as building blocks for your searches.
Boolean Operators are used to combine key words in a search. The three main boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT. When using AND in between words, your search results will only return results with both terms. Using OR between words means that search results with either terms will be found. And finally, if you use NOT between two words, search results will include results with the first term but not the second term.
(Boolean Search Operators - Instructional Technology - School District of Onalaska)
Use the * symbol to search for words with different endings. Using this symbol is known as truncation. For example, searching educat* includes results with the keywords education, educating, and educate in the search results. Using quotes for a particular grouping of words or phrase, for example, "music education", searches for instances of those particular words together.
Refine searches by using available filters, such as whether it's peer-reviewed, full-text access, language, subject, etc. Subject headings or descriptors are predefined to reflect specific subjects/topics, and all for searching by concept. Searching by or clicking on relevant subject headings can help you find more relevant results.
If you have questions about search strategies or how to use specific databases, finding keywords related to your topic, or just figuring out a research topic in general, email Laura Jacyna, our Music Librarian, at jacynal@brandonu.ca. She can meet with you and help you figure out your topic or find resources, or she can help over email as well!