General Searching Techniques
When using scholarly databases, you should apply the following general search techniques for locating relevant and high-quality academic literature.
Use Keywords Effectively
Identify Key Terms: Start by identifying key terms relevant to your research topic. Consider alternative terms or synonyms.
Truncate Keywords: Use an asterisk (*) to truncate words to search for all variations (e.g., comput* will search for computer, computation, etc.). Other symbols are also used and information about what symbol is used can be found in the help text of the respective database.
Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT)
AND: Narrows the search by including all specified terms (e.g., artificial intelligence AND machine learning retrieves documents with both terms).
OR: Broadens the search by including either term (e.g., AI OR artificial intelligence retrieves documents with either term).
NOT: Excludes specific terms from your search (e.g., machine learning NOT neural networks).
Use Phrase Searching
Enclose a phrase in quotation marks to search for the exact phrase (e.g., “deep learning algorithms”).
Limit by Date: Many databases allow you to limit your search to articles published within a specific date range, helping you focus on the most recent research.
Filter by Document Type: Narrow your search by limiting it to specific types of documents, such as peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, theses, or reviews.
Use Wildcards: Use wildcard symbols like the question mark (?) to replace one character in a word. This helps find variations in spelling (e.g., “wom?n” will find both “woman” and “women”).
Subject-Specific Databases
Use databases specific to your field of study for more targeted results (e.g., PubMed for biomedical sciences, IEEE Xplore for engineering, and ACM Digital Library for computer science).
Use Citations for Further Research
Once you find a relevant article, explore its references to discover more related studies. Tools like Google Scholar provide a “Cited By” feature that lists all papers citing the article you’re viewing.
Advanced Search: Use the advanced search options available in many databases to combine various search terms, filter by authors, journals, and other criteria.
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing: A comprehensive dictionary focused on computer science, software engineering, hardware, and networking terms.
Tech Terms: A technology-focused dictionary that explains common and technical terms in computer science, web development, and IT.
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia: Provides detailed definitions for thousands of terms in computing, from software development to networking.
Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online The Conservation and Art Materials Encyclopedia Online (CAMEO) is a database that compiles, defines, and disseminates technical information on the distinct collection of terms, materials, and techniques used in the fields of art conservation and historic preservation.
Directory of Open Access Journals
A comprehensive directory providing access to high-quality, peer-reviewed open-access journals, including many in the fields of art, design, and architecture.
Offers a collection of open-access journals and books in art history, architecture, and related fields.
A meta-search tool that provides access to an extensive range of art-related bibliographic databases and resources.
Offers access to millions of books, artworks, and media from European cultural institutions, including art and architecture.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access Collection
Provides over 400,000 images of artworks in the public domain for free and unrestricted use.
Offers millions of images, data, and collections from the Smithsonian’s museums, research centers, and the National Zoo.
Digital Public Library of America
Access to millions of photographs, manuscripts, books, sounds, and moving images from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States.
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
A multi-disciplinary database providing access to thousands of peer-reviewed open-access journals, including various fields of engineering.
A free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature, which also covers bioengineering, materials science, and energy-related research.
An aggregator of open-access research articles, it brings together research from repositories worldwide, including content in chemical and mechanical engineering.
A European-based resource that provides access to a large repository of open-access research articles, including topics in energy, materials, and chemical engineering.
This freely available compilation of citations and abstracts is perhaps the most robust database focusing specifically on conservation. It indexes over 180 journals, conference proceedings, monographs, reviews, and dissertations in the field of cultural heritage conservation from ancient sources to those recently published, updated regularly.
While primarily an art history database, Art & Architecture Source covers a broad range of topics throughout history on fine, decorative and commercial arts, design, and architecture, including technology and conservation.
ABM provides broad indexed coverage of modern and contemporary art from the 19th Century to current day. It includes abstracts on subjects including art history and theory, artists’ books, performance and installation art, as well as conservation and restoration.
A library of freely accessible academic books, including titles on art, design, and architecture.
Offers over 60,000 free eBooks, including classic texts on art history, architecture, and design.
Provides free access to digitized art history texts, rare books, and related literature from libraries around the world.
A partnership of academic and research institutions offering millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world.
Access high-resolution images of artworks from museums worldwide, along with detailed information.
Library of Congress Digital Collections
Provides free access to a wide range of resources, including photographs, prints, and architectural drawings.
The British Library Digital Collections
Offers access to digitized manuscripts, maps, and rare books, including materials on art and architecture.
Access to over 800,000 open-access research theses from 619 universities in 28 European countries.
NDLTD (Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations)
A global database of electronic theses and dissertations, including works on art, design, and architecture.
ProQuest Open Access Dissertations and Theses
Offers access to over 700,000 graduate works, including many in art and architecture.
Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA)
Offers access to a wide range of architectural publications, research materials, and collections.
Provides resources on design innovation, including case studies, reports, and insights.
SAHARA (Society of Architectural Historians Architecture Resources Archive)
A digital image archive of global architecture and landscapes.
RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)
Provides access to a vast collection of architectural drawings, photographs, and manuscripts.
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Open Access Repository
Offers open-access publications and research outputs from the Bauhaus University, covering art, design, and architecture.
