On this page, you will learn how to use the basic search form and advanced search form. You will learn how to use different kind of search techniques in practice. In this example, the search forms are from database Academic Search Complete (EBSCO).

How to Use the Basic Search

The basic search form lets you create a search with Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT). You can also truncate the words and use phrase marks. You have to write yourself and/or/not between to search terms.

Enter your search terms and search techniques in the find box and then click on search.

How to Use the Advanced Search

The Advanced Search form lets you focus your search. You can use the multiple search fields to narrow or broaden your search. Before you do searches it is good to check what kind of fields database offer. For example in library catalogue one way to limit your search is for book titles.

Enter your search terms in the field and choose the field e.g. author, title, subject terms or journal name. Select a Boolean operator (AND, OR, NOT) to combine your search terms.

Search History

In many databases, users who are logged in can create search alerts or save their search history for later use. To do this, you must create an account in the service. All searches you have done during your session are available from the Search History. It is possible to compare and edit your previous searchers.

If you need more information how to do searches, you can find info/help/guide buttons from the database.