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CHE 444 Chemistry Senior Seminar: Home

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Reference Desk 610.902.8537

Searching Steps

  • Choose a database and add any corresponding databases;
  • Enter search terms and time frame; 
  • Be aware of Full Text and Scholarly-Peer Reviewed checkbox implications 
  • Search 
  • Evaluate Results 
  • Change search words and/or parameters
  • Search Again

Choosing Search Terms

  • To start - Take your best guess. You’re looking for the (4-6) main words that describe and differentiate your topic.   
  • Leave out of, the, in and other words that are meaningless out of context. 
  • Consider all the different language that can be used to name your topic.  
  • Use OR to search for different ways to express a concept. 
  • Use NOT to exclude a particular facet of your topic.

Evaluating List of Search Results

How many results did you get?

  • Too many results- go back and add search terms to be more specific.
  • Too few results- go back and take out search terms to be less specific or re-evaluate your word choice. Check spelling!

Did some articles use different language to describe your topic?

  • Change the words you chose to those words 
  • Use OR to search for both

Using one good article to find more

Keep in mind that at the end of academic articles there should be a list of citations. If the initial article was of interest to you then it is likely that some of the articles cited by the author of the article may be of interest to you as well.

Searching for a specific article (of which you have the Author, Title, Publication Title and Date) differs from searching for a topic. You may need to ILL these articles, so make sure to give yourself enough time.

Searching for a Particular Article

  • Go to the Journals link from the library’s homepage--
  • Search for the Publication Title
  • Follow the links to the appropriate issue, if it’s available
  • If it’s not, make an Inter-Library Loan request.

Librarians are here to help

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Holy Spirit Library
Contact:
610.902.8537

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Library Hours
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Fri 8am-5pm

Sat  Closed

Sun 12pm-6pm

 

 

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