To make your searches more effective, try these methods:

• Make a list of related terms
• Use Boolean Operators to include or exclude terms
• Limit the date range, if this option is available
• Search for full-text only, if this option is available
• Use quotation marks if you are searching for a phrase, such as "high stakes testing" or "Don't Ask Don't Tell."
• Use wildcards
• Limit to peer reviewed articles if your assigment requires it
• Try searching by subject

Boolean Operators are words that help you craft better searches. 

The operators AND, OR, and NOT are explained below:

For more information on Boolean operators, see our Search Techniques, Part 1 Tutorial.

Single character variation

Use a question mark in place of a letter to retrieve various spellings.  This is particularly useful if you are not sure how a word or name is spelled.

• Example: Anders?n would retrieve Anderson and Andersen

Keyword variation

Use an asterisk to retrieve various forms of a word.

• Example: legislat* would retrieve legislature, legislate, legislation, etc.