POLS 540D: Seminar in Public Law

To get more results, broaden your search.

• Use fewer search terms. Look for words not unique to your topic that you could cut from your search string.
  • issue, problem, impact
• OR Use OR to link synonyms, so you get articles where the authors used other terms to describe the same or similar concept. 
  • (lgbtq OR lgbtqia OR gay OR queer)
• * Use an asterisk to find sources using any of the variants of the same root word.
  • adolescen* = adolescent, adolescence, adolescents
• Use more inclusive search terms.
  • Bigger locations - too few results from california, try "united states"
  • More general terms - too few results from obscenity, try "first amendment"
• Search as many possible sources at once by using Google Scholar.

To get fewer results, narrow your search.

• " " Use quotation marks to find exact phrases, when you need words next to each other in precise sequence to have the meaning you intend.
  • "sexual harassment"
  • "title ix"
• Add more concepts to your search. Consider the who, what, when, and where.
• Use narrower, more specific concepts or aspects of your original topic.
  • "reproductive rights" => abortion
• Search fewer sources, one top journal at a time.

Watch this video to learn how to navigate OneSearch to find materials available through the University Library.