Combination searching:

• Combine keyword and subject searching or multiple subjects.
• Combine previous searches or add new terms to a previous search.

Database Limiters:

• Use the limiters listed on the advanced search page to refine your search.
• Eliminate issues with variant spelling.
• What are your paper requirements? Set relevant limits, such as Date, Scholarly Peer-Reviewed articles, and other limiters to refine your search.

NOTE: In the example search strategies below, DE=descriptor or subject term.

Sample topic: Designing and implementing effective programs for at-risk youth
Copy and paste the example searches below into the SocINDEX with Full Text database.

• DE "AT-risk youth"
  (subject search in SocINDEX with Full Text)
• DE "AT-risk youth" and (economics or poverty)
  (subject and keyword search in SocINDEX with Full Text)
• DE “AT-risk youth” and effective programs
  (subject and keyword search in SocINDEX with Full Text)

Try a combined database search in SocINDEX with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, Political Science Complete, Social Work Abstracts

• "at-risk youth" AND (program or club) AND (business or Finance)
  (phrase and keyword search in SocINDEX with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, Political Science Complete, Social Work Abstracts

Sample topic: The effects of single parent adoption on family dynamics
Try a combined database search in SocINDEX with Full Text, Family Studies Abstracts, and Social Work Abstracts

• single parent adoption AND family dynamics
  (keyword search in SocINDEX with Full Text, Family Studies Abstracts, and Social Work Abstracts)

Sample Topic: International adoption and the issues for American parents

• DE "INTERNATIONAL adoption" AND issue* AND (survey research or report)
  (subject and keyword search in SocINDEX with Full text)

Sample topic: Effective family services permanency planning and practices.
Try a combined search in SocINDEX with Full Text, Sociological Collection, and Social Work Abstracts

• DE "FAMILY services" AND permanency
  (subject and keyword search in SocINDEX with Full Text, Sociological Collection, and Social Work Abstracts)
• foster care AND permanency AND (study OR report OR research)
  (keyword search in in SocINDEX with Full Text, Sociological Collection, and Social Work Abstracts; limit the date to the last 10 years)