LEAD 502 - Developing Scholars Seminar

This guide is for students enrolled in the Developing Scholars seminar as they develop annotated bibliographries in anticipation of publishing or presenting about their research.

Library Research Guide

Searching Tips: Databases

Searching these resources is different from searching the Internet. K-State Libraries pays to subscribe to the databases; they are not found in an online search.

  • Keywords: Break your topic into key concepts; list relevant terminology/keywords and synonyms.
    • AND = both concepts must be present, limits the search (Ex. stormwater AND management)
    • OR = great for synonyms, expands the search  (Ex. "universal design" OR "inclusive design")
    • NOT = exclude an unrelated term, limits the search (Ex. "nigel coates" NOT "book review")
  • Advanced search: Search fields like journal title, publication date, institution, etc.
  • Subject headings: Use the language/terminology of a database by looking for a Thesaurus, Subject Headings, Subjects, Keywords, or Descriptors.
  • Truncation: Includes all possible endings: teen* searches for "teen", "teens", "teenager", "teenagers", etc.
  • Wildcard: Replaces any character: wom?n searches for "women" or "woman."
  • Help: Click help or for database-specific instructions.

Wildcat Search Bookmarklet

A bookmarklet is a browser bookmark with computer code. This bookmarklet will help you find research and researchers at K-State related to your interests by searching Google with this string  site:ksu.edu | site:k-state.edu . You can also use other search operators in your Wildcat Search (ex.  intitle:vita filetype:pdf ).

Installation instructions

To use a bookmarklet, make sure your browser is configured to:

  • allow pop-up windows
  • accept third-party cookies
  • enable javascript

Also make sure your bookmarks or favorites bar is visible:

  • Firefox: "Alt" will display the menu bar. Select "View > Toolbars > Bookmarks Toolbar"
  • Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + B will show or hide the bookmarks bar
  • Safari: On the menu bar, select "View > Bookmarks Bar
  • Microsoft Edge: Select "Settings > ... (more)" and toggle the switch to "Show the favorites bar"

Drag or right-click and add this link to your browser's favorites or bookmarks:

Wildcat Search

clicking and dragging bookmarklet to bookmarks bar

Alternative installation: save this as a bookmark: javascript:(function(){void(q=prompt('Wildcat search:',''));if(q)location.href='http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3A'+'ksu.edu'+' | '+'site%3A'+'k-state.edu '+escape(q)})()