Subject Guides
To determine which research tools will help you locate information about your topic, ask yourself this question:
What professions or academic subjects/disciplines care about my research topic?
Then explore the research guides in one of these subject areas:
Don't see a relevant guide for your topic? See the complete subject guide listing or contact your librarian, Regina Raboin, for help.
Research Paper Navigator
Use for help with
- time management
- library research
- writing your paper
- citing sources
Select a Research Topic
- CQ ResearcherFind in-depth background information on controversial and current issues. Browse Recent Reports or By Topic to paper topic ideas. Reports written by CQ staff writers.
- Issues & ControversiesFull-text essays giving multiple perspectives on controversial issues. Use Need a Research Topic menu on bottom right of page to select/learn about a topic. Written by Facts on File staff writers.
Find Background Information
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries online
- Britannica Online
- Oxford Reference OnlineSearch multiple dictionaries and encyclopedias.
- CREDO ReferenceSearch multiple dictionaries and encyclopedias.
- Sage E-Reference Encyclopedias
- MedlinePlus
Keyword Searching
Keyword Search Rules for the Library Catalog and Databases
Using AND/OR/NOT (Boolean Search Operators) |
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AND |
Use AND to focus search and combine different aspects of your topic. Example: disease and environment |
OR |
Use OR to expand your search and find synonyms/related terms. Example: AIDS or HIV |
NOT |
Use NOT to exclude a word or phrase from your search Example: AIDS not Africa |
Additional Search Tips |
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"Phrase search" - Use quotation marks" " to search for a particular phrase. Example: "community health" |
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Truncation * - Use an asterisk to find variations of a word. Put an asterisk following the root of the word to find all variations of that word, including singular and plural. Example: environment* (finds environments, environmental, environmentalist, etc.) |
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(Grouping/Nesting Keywords) - Use parentheses ( ) as a way to group all your search terms together. Example: (AIDS or HIV) and population growth |
See the Basic Search Tips guides for more information, including examples. Or use the Keyword Searching Worksheet to get started.
Help with Research |
 Regina Raboin Contact Info Science Research & Instruction Librarian Research & Instruction Tisch Library, Tufts University Phone 617-627-4221 Fax 617-627-3002 Send Email Links: Profile & Guides |
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