The San José State University Library gives researchers tips on searching for books and journal articles and tracking research material at other libraries.

For hints and steps in conducting library research, click here.

Search Tips
Plan ahead! To perform an effective literature search you should consider the topic(s) that you want and related topics. Start by thinking broad. An article or book that may be very useful in your work/research may be referenced differently than you expected.

It is much less frustrating to get too many references than it is to get none. If you receive too many references from your search, then start narrowing your topic. For example, if you begin your search with aging or ageing, and realize that the results are too broad, then be more specific, such as aging or ageing and long-term care. Including the word and will limit the first search to include only those that also include long-term care.

Remember that aging also can be spelled ageing.

To help you perform your literature search on aging issues, here is a list of key words that you may find helpful: aging, aging policy, ageing, ageing policy, elder, elderly, geriatrics, gerontology, long-term care, skilled nursing facility, institutional care, older adults, seniors, social work and the aged, gerontology and social work, social security, Medicare.

Do not limit your search to on-line articles because it will introduce a bias by significantly limiting your findings. The “best” article on your topic might not be on-line.

If you are searching for assessment tools, such as for your SW 298 project, try a search in the Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HAPI) database. To access an on-line version of the Geriatric Depression Scale, click here.

For additional library tips on searching about gerontology topics, visit the San Jose State University Library Research Guide for Gerontology.

For on-line searches, be sure to visit these sites: