Here are some terms you might come across when doing research and what they mean. 

1. Advanced Search:  A search option in all databases that allows you to find results more easily using multiple keywords and Boolean operators (AND/OR/NOT) to get more targeted search results. 

2. Keywords: The main words/ideas taken from your research question or thesis statement that will be used for database searching. 

3. Phrase Searching: Searching a combination of words that are treated as a single expression. These should be surrounded by quotation marks. 

Examples: "Agricultural development", "Climate change", "World hunger", "Global economy".

4. Boolean Operators:  Placing the terms AND, OR, NOT between keywords/phrases to communicate what results you want the database to give you. 

1. CATS AND DOGS: Results MUST include information about BOTH cats and dogs. 

2. CATS OR DOGS: Results can include information just about cats, just about dogs, or about both. 

3. CATS NOT DOGS: Results should ONLY include information about cats. not dogs. ANY results that include information about dogs or about cats and dogs will be omitted. 

5. Abstract: 

An abstract gives you a summary of the finds of your article and can help you determine if reading it is worthwhile. Click HERE for a sample. 

6. Peer Reviewed: 

A label put on certain academic research articles that have gone through a rigorous editing process by the peers of academic researchers.