Think about the keywords you use to search
When you search on Google you always get something that seems like a relevant result. Sometimes it is harder to search with databases because the search process functions somewhat differently.- let's look for information for a paper about Global warming and polar bears
Think about alternative words associated with your topic- global warming, climate change, rising sea levels
Broader and narrower - rising sea levels, melting polar ice cap, climate change, polar bears, arctic mammals
Use quotation marks around phrases "global warming", "polar bears"
Use a wildcard - (usually an asterisk *) for getting hits for multiple words sharing the same root - child* gets hits for child, children, child's, childhood, childish, etc.
Connect terms with AND, OR or NOT - capitalize these connecting words (or Boolean Operators) to indicate they are a command
("climate change" OR "global warming") AND "polar bear*"
Need help with something? Ask Us for Help!
If you are on-campus you are encouraged to stop by the Library and ask for help, we welcome the opportunity to work with you.
If you are off-campus and we are open your best option is to call the Reference Desk at 315-786-2482 and ask for one of us. You can also contact us via email or if you need immediate assistance and we are not open, you can chat with a librarian online (likely not a JCC librarian, but helpful nonetheless) as outlined on our "Ask for Help" web page.
We look forward to working with you!
John Thomas (jthomas@sunyjefferson.edu / 315-786-2314)
Beverly Scarpulla (bscarpulla@sunyjefferson.edu / 315-786-2224)