1. Keep it simple. Less is more. Simple, one or two word searches usually yield the broadest results.
2. Add relevant words to refine.
3. Try words that a website would use.
4. Use only the important words.
5. Search with an exact phrase and put quotation markes around words to search for an exact phrase in an exact order. Keep in mind that searches with quotes might exclude relevant results.
6. To increase the number of hits retrieved, you might consider using a truncation symbol, usually * . For example, if you enter Nigeri* the computer will pick up Nigeria, Nigerian, Nigeria's, Nigerians, Nigeriaworld.....
7. Search within a specific site. Precede your query with site:edu or site:nytimes.com.
8. Mine bibliographies for additional resources.
9. Ask a Reference Librarian! We are here to help. libref@usnwc.edu
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