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ENGWR 300 (online) - Professor Cooper (Spring 2020): OneSearch: Books & Articles

What Should I Do on This Page?

If you're new to database searching, complete the following steps:

  1. Watch the OneSearch in One Minute Video.
  2. Read the General Search Tips in the middle column, and create 3-5 keywords that are relevant to your topic.
  3. Enter your keywords into Onesearch.
  4. NOTE: If the keywords you tried don't generate satisfactory results, try using synonyms or other keywords.

If you're ready to try some advance searching strategies, complete the following steps:

  1. Watch the OneSearch in One Minute AND the Quick Tips and Shortcuts for Databases videos
  2. Read all of the Search Tips in the middle column.
  3. Enter your keywords into Onesearch.
  4. Test out different sets of keywords and/or use some of the search tips you've learned about. 
  5. NOTE: If the keywords you tried don't generate satisfactory results, try using synonyms or other keywords.

OneSearch in One Minute Video

Quick Tips & Shortcuts for Database Searching

Search Tips

General Search Tips:

  • 3-5 keywords often works well
  • Take advantage of the limiters inside of OneSearch
  • Try different keywords (think synonyms)


Using Parentheses

Use parentheses around keywords separated by the word "OR" to expand your search and get more results. 

Example: immigration (benefits OR advantages)

In the example above, we are running two searches at once: 

immigration benefits AND immigration advantages


Using the Asterisk (*): 
Use an asterisk to shorten a word and search for all possible endings of a root word. The asterisk will produce you more results.

Example:  immigra*

This is searching for the keyword immigra* and the results will include: immigration, immigrants, etc.


Using OneSearch Limiters:

You can limit the results you get to various types of sources (e.g. newspapers articles, reference entries - those include encyclopedias, etc.).  

Resource types displayed include articles, newspapers, and reference entries

OneSearch Box

Find books, articles, ebooks and more