How to Search a Database

Conducting an Advanced Search on the ERIC Database: Step 1

In this search, we'll look for ERIC records regarding the topic of computers and composition in high school. Because the term composition can also refer to music, we'll use the Boolean search operator NOT to exclude sources that deal with music from our search.

If you would like to complete the steps in this demonstration on your own, please visit ERIC's advanced search page and carry out the following steps:

1. Type computers in the first search field.
2. Type composition in the second search field.
3. Type "high school" in the third search field.
4. Click on the "Add Another Row" link. The page will reload.
5. Type music in the fourth search field. Change the Boolean search operator to NOT.
6. Note the options below the search fields. You can choose to return only documents that provide full text, limit your search to specific types of documents, and specify a range of years within which to search. For this demonstration, don't change these options from their default settings.
7. Click on the Search button.
8. Click on the Continue button below.