FAQ: How do I conduct an advanced search in the Multi-Search or other EBSCO databases?

Creating an Advanced Search in Multi-Search

1. The Multi-Search is located on the homepage of the Shapiro Library’s website.  Click on the Advanced Search link under the search box to conduct an advanced search.  For other EBSCO databases (see the A-Z Database List), you can find the Advanced Search link above the search box on the right side.                    
2. Enter your search terms into the first search box on the Advanced Search screen. For example, “climate change”. The quotation marks tell the database to look for sources that include that specific phrase. View the Keyword Search FAQ to learn more about searching with keywords.  
3. To narrow your search results, select the type of search from the All Fields drop-down list to the right of the search box. For example, to search only the subject terms field for your search terms, select Subject Terms-SU.  There are additional options including author, title, and journal name. This step is optional. 

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the second search box. For example, activism OR advocacy has been entered into the second box with the Subject Terms-SU selected from the All Fields drop-down menu. The OR Boolean operator between the terms tells the database to find results with either of those terms. View the Boolean Searching FAQ to learn more about Boolean operators.

5. Click the Boolean operator drop-down menu to the left of the second search box to combine the search box entries with AND, OR, NOT (default is AND). For example, AND will tell the database to find results with “climate change” and activism as well as “climate change” AND advocacy.                               

6. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 5 for the third search box, if needed.

7. Click the Add Fields link below the search boxes if you would like to add more search boxes. 

8. Apply filters to your search to narrow your search results. These are located below the search boxes. For example, you may want to limit your search to Electronic Full Text, Peer-reviewed (scholarly), and/or by Publication Date. The filter options can vary by database. 

9. Click on the Search button to display your search results.

Refining Results

The results page has filters or limiters to help you further refine your search results.

1. Click on the All Filters button under the search box at the top of the page.
2. Filter options will display on the left. Options include full text, peer-reviewed, publication date range, source type (ebook, academic journal, magazine, etc.), subject terms, and more. The options will vary by EBSCO database.
3. Select Apply to add filters to your search results. 

More Help

Contact the Reference Desk by using the "Chat 24/7 with a Librarian" button at the top right corner of this page or email ask@snhu.libanswers.com for help using this resource.