Getting started

To find scholarly sources on your global problem, the librarians recommend using OneSearch, which searches most of the library’s databases all at the same time. Follow the steps in the example search on the problem of safe access to water below to get started.

1. Go to the Advanced Search screen in OneSearch.
2. Use the three search boxes to divide your topic into its main ideas. Put each main idea into its own box along with brainstormed synonyms using “or” within the same box. For example:
   
   First search box: access*
   Second search box: safe water or “drinking water”
    
3. Then, under Search Options, set the "Date Published" from 2005 to present (leaving the end date blank will default to present), and check the box next to Peer Reviewed Journals to help limit your search to contemporary, scholarly sources.
   • Note: In order to see scholarly eBooks on your topic as well, leave the "Peer Reviewed Journals" box unchecked (or try both ways!)
4. Click Search.

The search above retrieved over 500,000 results! Since OneSearch searches so many different sources, it's normal to get a large number of results.

Narrowing your search

To narrow down your search, you can use additional search terms, try the "Refine Results" options on the left-hand side of the results page, or try using the field limiters to the right of each search box.

For example, follow these additional steps to narrow the search above:

1. To the right of the second search box where you typed safe water or "drinking water," click "Select a Field (optional)" and select SU Subject Terms.
2. In the third search box, add the terms: developing countries or developing nations
3. Click Search to update the results list.

As you can see, by using additional limiters and search terms, we brought the number of results down from over 500,000 to over 2,000!

For additional tips, including how to find sources that touch on cultural diversity and ethical perspectives, check out the FAQ below:

Need more help? Please don't hesitate to contact us for one-on-one assistance!

• Use the asterisk symbol (*) as a wildcard character to search for all possible endings of a word. In this case, typing access* will search for access, accessible, accessed, etc.
• Use the word "or” between terms in the same box to search for synonyms or similar terms.
• Use quotation marks to search for exact phrases of two or more words. This tells the database to search for those terms next to each other, as opposed to anywhere in the text (far apart).