AMM 4630 Apparel Research Project

These tips can be used, in general, with the Library's OneSearch, databases, and on the open Web.

Try Boolean operators or connectors

• AND = Fewer results. All of your search terms must be found in the results. EXAMPLE: textiles AND environmental AND impact. You could also just type: textiles environmental impact.

• OR = More results. Any one or more of your search terms must be found in a result. EXAMPLE: apparel OR clothing OR garments.

Try a phrase search

• Find words that appear exactly as you type them or in a particular order. Type the word or words in order between quotation marks. EXAMPLE: "life cycle assessment".

Try a truncation search

• Finds words that start with certain letters. Type a word stem, then add an asterisk symbol. EXAMPLE: Manufact* will find manufacture, manufactured, manufacturer, manufactures, manufacturing.

Try a nested search

• Use parentheses to separate search statements so they can be combined and performed in order. Statements inside parentheses are searched first, and the order of operations is left to right. EXAMPLE: denim AND sustainab* AND ("levi's" OR "levi strauss")

Try an index or field search

• Find words in a particular index or field. EXAMPLE: You can search for words within the Title, Abstract, or Subject field.

Logo by R. Kedar (1999)

Search the open Web more effectively with the links and tips below. Keep in mind that many online sources are plagiarized or of questionable quality.  When using online sources, ask yourself the following questions:

Who is the author? -- What are her/his credentials? -- What possible biases exist? -- When was this source published?