History - American West: Database Search Tips

1. Be prepared with synonyms in case your original search produces no results. If the database offers a link to a thesaurus or subject terms tab, use it to locate additional or related words for your search terms.
2. Pay attention to search tips or help screens provided by each database. Take the time to learn how to use the tool - it will help you to avoid frustration!
3. Remember that most databases allow for Boolean Searching (see the video in this guide). Use and to narrow, or to expand, not to exclude. Truncation is also useful for bringing back all relevant results. For example, type counsel* to bring back documents containing the words counsel, counseling, counselor...
4. Review the database search screen for a Thesaurus or Subject Terms tab or link.
5. Review articles, the references with this article, look for sections listing key words or subject terms, and relationships to your focus on the topic.

E-Journals by Title can be used to find many of the full text articles that are not available in full text through a particular database.  See the link below.

Most databases use a controlled vocabulary to organize information and make browsing more efficient and specific to chosen terms. When building your search string, consider keywords, synonyms or related terms. 

• American history
• American west
• ​settlements of the west
• economic interests in the west
• frontier and American society
• frontier legend
• politics and the American frontier
• California gold rush
• gold rush and mining
• native American resistance
• plains Indians
• home steading
• pioneer life
• Mormonism
• nativism and assimilation
• ​annexation of Texas
• manifest destiny and frontier
• Indians of north America

Combine or group terms or concepts using the Boolean operator "AND" to refine your search string:  american history AND 19th century or try the search string:  dust bowl AND oklahoma . Check to see if the database offers a Thesaurus or a Subject Terms tab or link. For instance, the database Academic Search Premier offers a "subject terms" tab, and the Military & Government Collection database features a "subjects" tab, while ProQuest offers a "thesaurus" link.  Enter terms in the Browsing box to see how the database recognizes them.

Depending on the database, it may offer a variety of ways to limit your results:

• Full Text
• Scholarly or Peer Reviewed
• Publication  or Document Type (journal articles, book reviews, reports)
• Published Date

For articles that are not available in full text, use the InterLibrary Loan service.

YouTube video created by NSU Libraries on how to search multiple EBSCOhost databases simultaneously.