Keywords: This is the most basic method of searching. If you only use this method, you are not likely to locate the best resources.
Subjects: Describe the main topics each item in the database covers. If you can find the best subject heading, you can do comprehensive searches on a subject.
Exact Phrases: When you need to look for exact phrases (such as "limited atonement" or "attributes of God") this can be very helpful.
Truncation: Use this method when you need to find multiple forms of a specific root word. (Ex: Christian, Christianity, Christians)
Boolean Searches: Expand your search to look for various synonyms of the same term all at once using the OR operator; or use the NOT Boolean operator to eliminate resources containing a particular word.
Search Fields: Control the specific fields of records you are searching (title, author, subject, publication, etc.) to improve the relevancy of your search results and narrow down to the best resources.
Proximity Searches: If you need to keep your key terms in close proximity to each other within the record instead of allowing the terms to appear just anywhere, use proximity searching.
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We will update the guide and be very grateful for your help.