Refining Searches Refining a search statement may result in more accurate results. Words Anywhere search in the basic search box, but the database would take longer to process this search statement . A thesaurus may be used to derive more accurate search terms in such databases as ERIC , LLBA , MLA , PAIS , PsycInfo , and Sociological Abstracts . Whenever a database includes a thesaurus, use it to learn how controlled vocabularies result in more exact searches. Guides All databases contain guides or help screens explaining how to do all the above.
Print guides explaining individual databases in more detail are available at the reference desk.
If you need a more thorough explanation of Boolean searching, the Bowling Green State University Library , the Brandeis University Libraries , and the University of Pennsylvania Library provide guides on the Web, and How Stuff Works offers a more technical explanation.