These search tips can help you to find more relevant results in Primo Search and many other library databases. If these tips don't work in the database you are using check their help section for their set of symbols.
| Search Operator | Example |
| Use AND to retrieve results that contain both of your search terms. | evidence-based AND pharmacy |
| Use OR to retrieve results that contain any or all of your search terms. | pharmacist OR chemist |
| Using NOT to exclude irrelevant results. | development NOT congenital |
| Combine terms with parentheses to create complex searches. | (evidence-based OR empirical) AND pharmacy |
| Use quotation marks to search for a phrase | "evidence-based practice" |
| Search for terms with different word endings using an asterisk. | pharmac* = pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacies, pharmaceutical |
| A question mark can be used to replace a single letter within a word. | analy?e = analyse, analyze |
A search strategy using the key concepts identified from our Topic Analysis, and combined with synonyms and relevant search techniques might look like:
"communication" AND (pharmacy OR pharmacist* OR pharmacies)
We'll work through how to apply this search strategy in Primo Search and journal databases on the next few pages of this guide.
Try combining some of your keywords using some common search tips.
Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.
