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GALILEO

Helpful strategies to use when searching GALILEO

GALILEO Is Not Google

GALILEO is NOT Google!

GALILEO cannot understand questions like Google. When we search using GALILEO, we must use keywords instead. Keywords are words or phrases that represent the main idea of your topic or research question.

For example, don't search the question, "Does playing video games increase the chance that children will be violent?"

Some good keywords to search instead would be children, video games, and violent.

Brainstorming Keywords

  • Identify the most important words in your research question or topic. (You don't need many. See above.)

  • Use similar terms or synonyms to those words. 

  • You may find another word that refers to your topic while you research. Make it a keyword, too!

  • Combine keywords. Your search results will change if you combine keywords using Boolean Operators. (What are these? See the box below.)

  • Change it up! If your keywords aren't working, use different terms and different combinations of terms.

There is no one correct set of keywords. They are as unique as you are!

 

What are Boolean Operators?

AND, OR, NOT

These are Boolean Operators! Using these words in your search can change you search results as pictured below.

Diagram Explaining Boolean Operators

 

This is also known as an advanced search and looks like this:

 

Create Your Own Keywords!

If you need help coming up with keywords, check out our printable worksheet. 

 

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Hit a roadblock while doing research? Here is a Research Cheat Sheet to help you through it!