Activities: Database & Search Skills

There are many skills needed for effective research, but remember that learning these skills is a process and will take time. Choose at least one activity from the list below based on your research needs and learning goals. 

Keywords

• Complete the Developing Keywords for Database Searching Links to an external site. worksheet, brainstorm keywords for a topic of interest.

UW Libraries Search

• Review the UW Libraries Search FAQ. Helpful pages may include: 
  • How to find physical and electronic sources. 
  • Search tips and techniques. 
• Complete an advanced search Links to an external site. with at least two keywords on a topic of your choosing.
• Review your search results and select various filters to get comfortable with narrowing down your results. Some examples include: 
  • Limit by date
  • Select print books owned by UW Libraries (“Held by library”)
  • Select peer-reviewed articles only
• Reflect: Do you think this database will be useful? Were you surprised by any of your search results? When do you think you would want to use this database? 

Advanced Search Techniques

• Select a multidisciplinary or subject-specific database (see Research Guides for subject-specific databases) and practice some of the Advanced Search Tips covered in this module. Tip: Finding the advanced search option will often bring up useful filters and limits including Boolean Operators. 
• Experiment with different keywords, filters, or techniques (truncation or wildcards) in at least two different databases.
• Reflect: What did you discover by doing a deeper dive into more than one database? Were you surprised by any of your search results? Which advanced search techniques might you use again?

Congratulations! You’ve finished the Database & Search Skills module. Check it off the Tutorial Action Plan!