# data[].attributes.body
Keywords are key! Narrowing down your research question(s) into one search-bar can be a difficult task but it's really important that this is done well, otherwise the results may not be effective. It's not just the word choice that matters though. There are all these little tips and tricks like truncating, quoting, and phrasing in order to yield the best results. This isn't really a logistical question but how do I know that I'm making the best use of the search-bar and databases? I'd hate to miss an amazing article because I failed to put quotations around a particular set of words.
- Emma Samaniego

# data[].attributes.body
While I have done this type of research in the past, I think the most important thing that I learned is that one slight change in wording or spelling can change your results completely. You have to be mindful of words and phrases and what you want out of it.
Questions: Is there a specific reason databases require simple keywords and phrases? Why do we not have exposure to this earlier (and get used to the ease of Google searches)?
- Tabitha

# data[].attributes.body
I think, for me, what was most significant was the meticulousness and precision of the process of database searching in general. Truncation is a specific part of this precision and aim that is to be intentionally employed when researching. I believe that somewhere it was mentioned that the database contained scholarly and non-scholarly sources (both of which are obviously valuable), but I wish there was a way to filter out one of those so as to get even more of an intentional pursuit.
-Oliver

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing I learned was to shorten the search to big ideas only. I am used to just typing whatever I need into Google without giving it much thought, and this forces me to really think about what I want to come up. Also, I thought it was interesting that you have to put phrases in quote, it makes sense but I am still getting used to it.
Question:
Can you add as many search terms as you want or is there a limit?
- Dhruv

# data[].attributes.body
The biggest takeaway for me is using the search results you get from a search to further enhance your search parameters. This is something which I feel we naturally tend to do when searching for something on Google, but I have never thought about it so directly. The related terms thing for each result was very handy for this, and I wish all search engines provided them (although I suppose they must already exist because they must be used behind the scenes).
I am still confused about the necessity of using the OR keyword to add a boolean search term, when you could just add the new term as a unique search item. Is there any difference?
- Ivar

# data[].attributes.body
Importantly, I learned how to properly narrow down your searches to only the most integral words or phrases. I also learned how to truncate those searched phrases to account for word variations. Something that still remains a little fuzzy for me is which words to truncate exactly and which to not. I could use more practice although I'm not sure how much it'll matter.
-Anika

# data[].attributes.headline
I learned how to use OR, which is something I had never done before.  I also did not know about the asterisk system, but I think that’s probably the most important thing I learned.  It makes research so much simpler.  One thing I wanted to know is if these tips apply to most major databases, or if I will have to learn different systems for different databases?  I wish the tutorial did exercises with different databases, instead of just OmniFile.

# data[].attributes.subject
I learned how to use OR, which is something I had never done before.  I also did not know about the asterisk system, but I think that’s probably the most important thing I learned.  It makes research so much simpler.  One thing I wanted to know is if these tips apply to most major databases, or if I will have to learn different systems for different databases?  I wish the tutorial did exercises with different databases, instead of just OmniFile.

# data[].attributes.body
-Maya

# data[].attributes.body
I learned that you do not have to type an entire sentence into the search bar to get the results you want. Rather, it is more efficient and effective to condense your search into key words, and bind words that need to be together with quotations. I am still confused about whether we are limited to using OmniFile as a database and if other options will complicate our research too much, or if we should be exploring other databases as well. - Melanie

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing I learned was how to use only key words when searching from my research question. I did find it confusing, though knowing when to add the * or the quotations. Also, how to truncate the word to use the *. It also was confusing to actually get to the data base, but once I was there it was very helpful to navigate to the original article. -Alana

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing I learned is that altering your search criteria even to the slightest can completely change the results you get. This is valuable because if you don't get results that answer your research questions, you can try to rearrange your criteria or alter the key words that you choose. During the tutorial I noticed how many sources there were listed for some key words. This worries me because I obviously can't read through thousands of sources before finding what I need. Will we be given refined search criteria to follow (such as publishing dates) or will we be responsible for refining the results in our own way? - Olivia

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing that I learned in this tutorial is how to adjust what I search in order to get the exact information that I want. For example, I never knew that you could put a "*" after the letter of a word where you want to see results for multiple possible endings of that word. I'll definitely be using that technique. One thing that I'm still confused about is if we're supposed to look only at the SCU database this week or if we're supposed to apply that we've learned to regular internet searches. - Lily

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing I learned was to make sure to be just specific enough with my searches. My phrasing usually tends to be too broad or too specific, resulting in few useful results, so it was helpful to receive instruction on how to phrase my searches. Something I'm curious about is whether or not you recommend any specific databases to start with; we're all writing (at least loosely) about writing so are there any databases more well-suited than others for our research? -Aidan

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing that I learned from the tutorials was about truncation and using quotations for phrases. I had never been taught that before but it makes a lot of sense for searches. Something that I'm still curious about is all the different databases SCU offers. Should we be searching under the specific subjects listed or is OmniFile sufficient for the research we'll be doing? -Sophie

# data[].attributes.headline
What is the most important thing you learned from the tutorial?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is the most important thing you learned from the tutorial?

# data[].attributes.headline
Ask a question about library database searching ... maybe something you wished had been covered in the tutorial but wasn't or something that remains confusing.

# data[].attributes.subject
Ask a question about library database searching ... maybe something you wished had been covered in the tutorial but wasn't or something that remains confusing.