Research Guides: SSW785: Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work: Build search skills

EBP Library Video & Slides

Evidence Based Research - Introduction 2021 This video introduces students to the research resources they need to complete assignments in SSW 785, Evidence Based Practice. Find the accompanying slides here: https://bit.ly/785introslides
Evidence Based Research - Introduction 2021 SLIDES

Boolean & Wildcards

AND: Use to combine two or more variables; AND narrows your search:

substance abuse AND short-term therapy

OR: Use when searching for synonymous or closely-related terms; OR broadens your search:

substance abuse or drug abuse or alcoholism or drug addition or . . .

* : The asterisk (shift/8 on the keyword) is the truncation symbol used in most databases. It's a quick shorthand for singular, plural, noun and adjectival forms of words. For examples, addict* looks for: addict, addicts, addiction, addictions, addictive, etc.

Getting better search results using "AND" and "OR" - Rutgers University Libraries (2017)

Brief video (3 min. 20 sec.) features a combination of keywords for problem AND population AND treatment, plus tips on expanding terms and limiting search results.