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VIC122 Scientific Evidence in Public Policy

Sample search strategies:

Below is an example of a search formula using the Web of Science database:

screenshot of a web of science topic search

 

Below is an example of a search formula using PAIS Index (political science database):

screenshot of a search formula in the PAIS database

Here are a handful of tips that might guide you in your own search: 
  • Use Boolean operators (learn more about Boolean operators here)
    • OR between synonymous keywords
    • AND to combine keywords
    • NOT to exclude keywords
    • * to truncate a keyword (e.g., using the teen* truncation will search for keywords like "teenager", "teens", "teenage")
    • " " to search a specific phrase (multiple words together in a specific order)
  • Limit by date of publication    
  • Limit where keywords are being searched for (i.e., search in "Topics" or  in "Anywhere except full text" which searches the title, the abstract and the subject terms.) 
  • After generating results using the search bar, further refine your search by selecting filters in the Refine Results tab to the left of your results.  
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