Now, extract from your topic the words and phrases representing each concept. In separate columns or lines, list synonyms or alternate ways of expressing each concept. We will enter each idea in a separate search box. Stringing different aspects of the topic together would limit the power and flexibility of your database search.

ADHD OR attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AND

curriculum

Note the use of "OR" to retrieve all articles containing either term (the union of A+B). Use "OR" when either word can represent your idea. The Boolean "OR" broadens your search, increasing the number of hits (results).

Connecting separate concepts with "AND" narrows the search by ensuring that both ideas are mentioned in each article you retrieve (intersection of A and B).

Enclosing words in quotations retrieves the exact phrase: "sequential learning."

Arrange synonyms connected by "or" in a single text box for each concept. Advanced search screens in Academic Search Complete or ERIC allow you to search up to three or more concepts at one time.

Note: We recommend that you avoid limiting to "full text." With "ARTICLE LINKER/FIND IT AT AVERETT" you can link out from the citations to the full text in other databases. Limiting to full text means that you will never see those citations.

On the other hand, limiting to "scholarly" or "peer-reviewed" content can be very useful in narrowing your retrievals to research that has been reviewed by experts in your discipline. View Academic Search Complete search screen.