Ask the Library: Reference

Each database has it's own subject terms. At the top of the search screen there usually is a tab for "Subject Terms", "Subjects" or "Thesaurus". Click on this tab and type a search term that you think will work and click on search. You will see displayed either your term, or other terms to use instead.

Clicking on the term displayed may also bring up broader and narrower search terms. Choose a term displayed and go back to the original search screen and enter the term. Choose SU subject from the pull-down arrow.

Find other terms in the same way and combine them with an AND or OR option.

Another way to find good terms: when you get an article that you like, click on the title (instead of the full text) to pull up the citation and descriptive information, then scroll down and look at the subject terms that are used to describe the article. These terms will get you to similar articles. In addition, some databases have a "Find Similiar Articles" button. Click on this to be directed to additional articles using similiar subject terms.