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Medical Sciences Library

PHLT 310 Public Health Writing (Summer 2025)

Class guide for PHLT 310, with materials and resources to encourage student success for this module.

Finding Literature

Keyword Searching

Database algorithms work by using keyword searching. Any word you put into the search bar will trigger results, so it is best to be as concise as possible. To identify keywords for your research: 

  • Start by writing out your topic into a single summary statement. 
  • Choose 2-3 words that describe your research the most. 
  • Find synonyms for your keywords to use if needed.

Boolean Operators can help you combine keywords to create a complex search. Once you have identified your keywords, combine them using one of the following Boolean Operators. Each one has a specific function and will prompt different results. When typing Boolean Operators into the search bar, always make sure to put them in all caps.

  • AND: articles must have both terms together (narrow results)
  • OR: articles must have one term or the other (broaden results)
  • NOT: articles must have the first term but not the second (excludes a search term)

PubMed is the most popular health sciences databases currently used at Texas A&M. To learn how to find articles using this database, see the following video:

For information on finding ebooks in the Texas A&M online catalog, please see the following video:

For information on how to find physical books in the Texas A&M library collection, please watch the following video: