Search Tips for Efficient Searching
Specific Keywords: Choose precise terms related to your topic, like Neuroscience, brain-machine interface, and neurodegenerative diseases
Combine Keywords: Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches, e.g., Neuroscience AND (Brain-computer interface" OR "brain-machine interface") AND "neurodegenerative diseases"
Synonyms and Related Terms: Expand your search with related terms or synonyms, such as using Neurobiology AND ("brain-computer interface" OR "brain-machine interface") AND ("neurodegenerative diseases" OR "brain mapping" OR neural prosthetics")
Narrow Your Topic to Specific Keywords and Phrases
Selecting and using keywords effectively is crucial for strategic exploration in research. This section guides you through the process of developing and refining keywords to enhance the precision and breadth of your search results.
Watch the video Selecting & Using Keywords
To access SciFinder,
General Biology and Multidisciplinary Science
Specialized Scientific Databases
Open Access Journals and Directories
Click here for access to Free Databases by Subject
Locate dissertations or theses from CSULB and other institutions
Provides free access to thousands of dissertation and thesis abstracts from universities around the world, and links to full text when freely available.
Web of Science - How to do a Cited Reference Search
Web of Science - How to do a Cited Reference Search
Google Scholar Citation Linking
Refining Your Search Results: Evaluate and Improve
This section merges critical evaluation techniques with strategies for improving your searches, guiding you towards more relevant, high-quality information. Whether you're encountering too many results or too few, the tips below will help you adjust your search to better align with your research needs. Learn how to fine-tune your search results to ensure they align closely with your research needs!
Evaluate Your Search Results:
When You Have Too Many Results:
When You Have Too Few Results:
When You Have Too Many Results |
When You Have Too Few Results |
To reduce the number of results you are getting:
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To increase the number of results you are getting:
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Improve Your Search Results:
Get the Full-Text of Articles
Finding the full text of articles is an essential step in your research journey. Here you will see strategies and tools to access the full-text of the articles you need in you research process.
1) GetIt@CSULB Link
2) Find the pdf linked in the database
3) Request Article(s)
When the full-text of an article isn't available in OneSearch, click 'GET IT' for options. CSU+ is your primary choice for accessing items not held by CSULB. For articles beyond our collection, use the provided link to request them through Interlibrary Loan services, ensuring a straightforward process to obtain the resources you need. Learn more about the interlibrary loan services here.