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Library Guide for Applied Translation Studies: Search Tips

About Search Tips

Common search tips can help you quickly retrieve information and improve your efficiency in finding resources you need in LRC's databases. 

Exact Phrase


Use “ ” searching for a phrase (two or more words together) in the order you put them.

Example: “translation strategy”
Search results will contain words in the specific order you have entered.

Wildcard * root extension



Use asterisk (*) to find a group of words with the same part

E.g. translat* will find words such as translating, translation, translator, etc.

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How to Find Library Resources Using Primo VE

Video Tutorial

 

More details about Primo VE

Identifying Keywords

To create a search query that tools like  Primo VE, JSTOR, EBSCO, or IEEExplore can understand, you will need to use keywords.

Many of us are used to searching using what’s called "natural language" to find what we’re looking for on places like Baidu, Bing, or Amazon. While some research tools have started adding natural language or semantic search capabilities, many have not.

Keywords will help you:

  • Find relevant information quickly from a broad range of sources
  • Modify or adjust your inquiry as you learn more about your topic and status of the scholarly conversation

Here is an example of identifying keywords in a research question from Applied Translation Studies:

What are the translation strategies for dialect translation in film subtitles?

What are the key components that you see here? Look for nouns, unique descriptors, and geographic or demographic distinctions to narrow in on results that will help answer the question. Writing out the question and highlighting the keywords you see is also a great idea. Like this:

What are the translation strategies for dialect translation in film subtitles?

The keywords found in this question are:

  • translation strategies
  • dialect
  • film subtitles

 

Boolean Operators

Use Boolean operators (AND) to narrow your search.

Search examples

Results Effect

"translation strategy" AND dialect

Contain both of the words Narrow search

 

Use Boolean operators (OR) to broaden your search.

Search examples

Results Effect

"translation strategy" OR "translation techniques"  

Contain either of the words   Broaden search

Use Boolean operators (NOT) to narrow your search.

Search examples

Results Effect

"translation strategy" NOT dialect  

Exclude "dialect" from result list   Narrow search