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Class Page - STEM Subject Librarian
Valerie Burnett   
(330)941-3686
Back to Subject Guides
What can I do if I am stuck?

Type of Search
  1. Searching by title yielded few results

    1. Try using a keyword search with the word AND between each significant word, while removing words like “the,” “of,” etc.
    2. Try truncating any term that you are uncertain about e.g. knowledge vs. knowledgeable use knowledge*
    3. Still no results? Click on “Search OhioLINK Central” to see if it is available through OhioLINK

  2. Searching by author yielded few results

    1. Try a keyword search with the word AND between the first name and last in case the author uses a middle initial or middle name
    2. Still no results? Click on “Search OhioLINK Central” to see if there are any items available by this author in OhioLINK

  3. Searching by subject yielded few results

    1. Try switching to a keyword search
    2. Try using alternative terms with the word OR between them
    3. Once a relevant record is located, scroll down and click on the most pertinent Library of Congress Subject Heading to find more items
    4. Still not enough? Click on “Search OhioLINK Central” to see if there are other items available with that subject in OhioLINK

  4. Searching by keyword yielded few results

    1. If there is more than one word place AND between the words
    2. Think of alternative terms and place OR between them
    3. If there is more than one variation of the word truncate the term e.g. biolog* searches for biology, biologist, biologists, biological
    4. Still too few? Click on “Search OhioLINK Central” to see if there are other items available with that subject in OhioLINK
Boolean operators

  1. AND, OR, NOT, or AND NOT can be used to expand or narrow a search

  2. These terms can be used for keyword searches

  3. A really great tutorial about Boolean searching can be found at the Colorado State University Libraries
Replacing letters with symbols
  1. Truncation symbols added to the end of the root of a word searches for variations of the term e.g. vot* searches for vote, votes, voter, voting, etc.

  2. Wildcard symbols embedded in a word searches for various spellings of the word e.g. autom?t* searches for automate and automotive

  3. A fantastic tutorial about truncation can be found at the Colorado State University Libraries

Still stuck? We have librarians to help you!
  1. Come into the Reference Room on the Main Floor of Maag Library

  2. Call a librarian at the Reference Desk (330) 941-3686

  3. Ask-A-Librarian from Maag Library via an e-mail form

  4. Chat with a Librarian from an OhioLINK Library in Ohio