These search terms can be used in catalogs, databases, or general internet searches to explore a wide range of resources, from books and articles to primary sources and multimedia content. If the patron has a specific focus (e.g., land rights, cultural practices, or a particular tribe), the list can be further tailored to narrow their search.
Boolean Search Operators:
Uses: Boolean operators are tools used to refine searches in databases, catalogs, and search engines. Common Boolean operators include "AND" (all keywords must be found within search), "OR" (either keywords must be found within search), and "NOT" (excludes all keywords that follow it from search).
Examples: New York AND Native Americans | Iroquois OR Haudenosaunee | Hudson Valley NOT Adirondacks
Nesting:
Uses: Nesting is used to add parentheses around keywords to group them, allowing you to run multiple searches at once. Best used in databases and search engine searches.
Example: (“Iroquois Confederacy” OR “Haudenosaunee”) AND (“New York” OR “Upstate New York”) AND history.
This search query ensures comprehensive results by including both the English and traditional names for the Iroquois people, covering broader and specific geographic areas in New York, and narrowing the focus to historical content.
Phrase Searching:
Uses: Phrase searching is the use of quotation marks to surround key terms. These are used to look for exact phrases within a search. Best used in search engine and database searches.
Example: "Stockbridge-Munsee community" | "Native American treaties" – Focuses on legal agreements involving Native Americans.
Truncation Searching:
Uses: Truncation Searching is the use of symbols * or ? to replace characters at the end (or within) a word. Best used in database searching.
Example: Iroquois*
This search will find results that include Iroquois, Iroquoian, Iroquoia, etc.