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Chemistry: Researching Chemistry Topics

Researching Biology Topics

Library databases contain articles from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals, general magazines, newspapers, and sometimes ebook chapters.

Use the tips provided on this page to create the most effective searches.

Some databases are specialized and cover only one topic. The ones below cover the sciences and chemistry. 

Search Tips

  • Use strong keywords: Pick out the most important words/concepts in your research question. Use keywords such as those experts and scholars would use. These are usually nouns
  • Avoid terms that can be used in many settings (like effect, impact, develop)
  • Use Advanced Search and group keywords by concept: Use OR between synonyms (expands your results); use AND to combine different subjects (narrows your results)
    • dental OR teeth OR tooth OR oral
    • acid AND batteries
  • Search multiple endings of a word: Use asterisk, e.g., econom* for economy, economic, economies
  • Search exact phrases: Use double quotes. "coral reef"
  • Limit results: Choose publication years, scholarly or peer-reviewed, full text, etc.
  • Sort results: Choose most recent first or most relevant first

Tutorials

A tutorial from the University of Texas - Houston on developing a keyword list & formulating effective search strategies.

The keywords & library databases you will use will be different. Talk with an IRC Librarian for help.