By default you'll go into Gale Powersearch's keyword search. If you're overwhelmed by results, consider using the Advanced Search.

Note: When searching on multiple keywords, use the word and between keywords so that they do not have to be searched side-by-side, unless you want them side-by-side.

Example 1: Without and

Notice results without and: 70 Magazines, 421 Academic Journals, 30 Books and 774 News

Example 2: With and

Notice results with and: 4927 Magazines, 13,709 Academic Journals, 1174 Books, 67,501 News, 3 Images, 5 Videos, and 2 Audio

After you've run a search, be sure to notice your Content Types.  Content Types tend to include Magazines (default), Academic Journals, Books, News, Images, and Videos. Often you're after Academic Journal articles!

Note: Gale PowerSearch has many full text results.  By default the Full Text Documents box is checked. You may uncheck this box and then use the Ferris FullText link if a result is not full text within Gale PowerSearch.

Example of result with Ferris FullText link after the Full Text Documents box is unchecked

Scroll toward the very bottom of Gale PowerSearch's homepage to see the Subject Guide Search option. You can also find the Subject Guide Search if you click into the Advanced Search. The Subject Guide search allows you to search on individual topics, and then you can break down your topic by Subdivision. It's super handy!

Not all subjects will be found, but sometimes you'll be referred to the correct topic. The screenshot below demonstrates searching on nosocomial infections and the database indicating See Cross Infection. Cross infection had 45,912 results at the time of this search.

When you do get into a topic, be sure to click on the arrow next to Subdivisions to get a topic breakdown. The number of results for each Subdivision displays in the Subdivisions list.

The Advanced Search has multiple rows of search boxes. When using the Advanced Search, keep in mind:

• In the Advanced Search each row is for a different concept
• Use the word or between keywords to tell the database to pick up this or this word - any will work
• Quote marks indicate the words must be picked up exactly as shown between the quotes
• You can use the pull-down menu for each row to change where the words are found. Document Title will help limit your results and will make results more likely to be on-topic since your keywords are found in the title.

See the worksheet below for assistance with creating an Advanced Search that works:

Example Advanced Search:

If you click onto a result's title to go into the full record, you'll see the Tools on the top right-hand side of the screen. One option is Cite that can assist you with creating a properly formatted citation; however, the citations in this database are usually incorrect and require modifications.  Please check the citation against an APA style guide, such as the APA Guide linked below.