* Using Boolean Logic  (AND, OR, NOT) in PC Library Databases
   ~  Use OR to combine like topics or concepts
        -  Example:  therapy OR treatment OR medication 
        -  Use to add two or more topics together into one group
        -  Makes one larger group
    ~  Use AND to combine different topics or concepts
        - Example:  teach AND nursing
        - Use to find out what two our more topics have in common
    ~  Use NOT to get rid of a topic or concept
         -  Example:  cats NOT wildcats
         -  Difficult to use / best to avoid if possible
         -  Makes smaller topics or groups

*  Using Truncation in PC Library Databases
     ~  Using symbols as wild letters (like wild cards) to retrieve more results
     ~  Truncation symbols differ from database to database:  
          -  ALEPH / PCLibrary's online catalog uses the question mark  ? and the asterisk *
             The ? character and a * character may be used to take the place of a single letter or
             multiple letters.  They can be placed at the right or middle of a word, but can never
             be used more than once in a word.
          - eBrary - Truncation is not available
          -  ERIC  uses the *
          -  InfoTrac, Gale,  Ebsco, & ProQuest use the asterisk *
             Example:  therap*  (therapy, therapies, therapeutic, etc.)
          -  OVID uses the dollar sign    $
              Example:  therap$   (therapy, therapies, therapeutic, etc.)
          - NetLibrary uses the *
          - Newsbank American Newspapers uses the *
          - Psychiatry Online -  truncation is not available.                 
          - XreferPlus -* within key words
             Examples:  *ology  (for words that end in 'ology';  car* (for words that
             begin with  'car');  so*ism  (for words that start with 'so' and end in 'ism' )     
           .                                                                                                                                         
 *  Nesting in PC Library Databases
      ~  Use parentheses  (   ) when topic is more than one word
      ~  Examples:  (Native Americans)  or (Indians of North America)
      ~  Most databases support NESTING
 
*   General Searching Tips  for PC Library Databases
      ~  Guided or advanced searches are easier because they give you more options.
      ~  If a topic is fairly well-known, start with a subject search.                                    
      ~  If a subject search finds no good results, go to key-word or title-term search. 
      ~  Usually PC students are looking for full-text articles.  Do not forget to click on
           the FullText button.  It is usually below the search frame.
      ~  To ensure retrieving only scholarly journals, just click on the 'scholarly journals' or
           'peer-reviewed' button below  Most PC databases have this option.
      ~  Usually you can limit by date.  However, remember that most all datbases give you
           the current information first.

*   If you are not finding information on your topic, check with a PC librarian.
 
*   Did you find a citation to a good article or book, but it is not available at PC Library? 
      ~  Remember to print the citation and order it through interlibrary loan (I.L.L.) 
          However,  you must plan ahead in such a situation.  Librarians are willing to assist you !