Subject headings allow you to search for resources on a particular author or topic and are often more productive than keyword searches.
Keyword searches work best if you have multiple concepts or topics and need only a few books.
For a comprehensive subject search, search with subject headings as well as keywords.
Searching Omni
Start with a keyword search, but expect to revise it.
Keyword Searching TIPS
|
Search Technique |
What It Does |
|
quotation marks |
Searches for exact phrase |
|
Truncation * |
Searches for all forms of a word |
|
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) |
Lets you broaden or narrow your search |
Use a keyword search if you have multiple concepts or topics. Browse your results to find the assigned subject headings in order to find more books on your topic.
Think of the focus (or key) words that describe your topic. For example, use the keyword boolean search "new media" and place words in quotes, so more relevant results will be retrieved:
Select useful titles and look at the full record for subject headings. Use them to provide more keyword ideas or as individual searches themselves.
Subject headings allow you to search OMNI for resources on a particular topic and are often more productive that keyword searches.
Examples of subject headings:
Browsing the library shelves is another strategy for locating information on a topic.
Most books related to Film and Media Studies are located in the call number range PN1990 - PN1999 on the 4th floor of Stauffer Library.
Books on advertising can be found on the third floor of Stauffer in the call number range HF5801 - HF6182.