Learn how to revise searches for better results and how to use advanced features in ERIC and PsycINFO. A typical student completes the full series of brief videos and exercises in 30 to 60 minutes.
Use the ERIC database (link opens in new tab) to complete the following exercise:
Note: In this video we refer to the Preview link, this link is now labelled Show Abstract in the database.
Use the ERIC database to complete the following exercise:
Go to the abstract page for the “on target” article you submitted for the last exercise. Try using the Search with Indexing Terms box on the right to execute a search that uses only official Subject terms.
Remember that these words will be linked with AND – so the more boxes you check, the smaller your list of results. Check too many and your result could be just the article you started with! Most of the time you will check only 1-3 boxes for this type of search. If you want to use subjects that work as synonyms or alternatives, it may be better to use the advanced form so you can put these on the same line with OR.
Which terms did you choose to combine in your search? How many articles did you find? Did some of them look useful?