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EBSCO Databases Research Guide

This guide is designed as an introduction to searching EBSCO-hosted databases. While you may have searched using EBSCO before, the 2025 interface update has brought many new features.

Advanced Searching Glossary (Click to Expand)

Boolean Operators: Words that connect search terms to expand or narrow your results. The three main ones are AND, OR, and NOT.

Example: social media AND teenagers returns results that include both terms.

Controlled Vocabulary Terms: Standardized words or phrases chosen by database experts to describe a topic. Using them helps you get more accurate results.

Official Subject Headings: Specific subject terms assigned to articles or books. They act like tags that group similar items together.

Filter/Limiter: A tool that helps narrow down search results. Common filters include publication date, full-text availability, peer-reviewed status, and source type (e.g., academic journals).

Example: Applying a filter to show only peer-reviewed journal articles published after 2020.

Searching with Boolean Operators

Boolean operators let you combine keywords in powerful ways to make your searches more precise.

 

  • AND – narrows your search by combining concepts (education AND technology).

 

  • OR – broadens your search by including synonyms or related terms (teen OR adolescent).

 

  • NOT – excludes unwanted terms (jaguar NOT car).

 

Graphic demonstrating AND, OR, and NOT operators

Subject Searching

Subject searching helps you go beyond simple keywords. Databases like EBSCO tag articles with controlled vocabulary terms (sometimes called “subjects”). These are consistent labels that make it easier to find all the research on a topic, even if authors use different words.

Here are three ways to use subject searching in EBSCO:

1. Use the Subject Terms / Database Thesaurus 

On the Advanced Search page, look for the Subject Terms or Thesaurus option. This tool lets you browse the database’s list of official subject headings. You can:

  • Search for your topic and see the preferred term used in the database, or browse terms to see if there's one you're interested in. 

  • Select terms and combine them with Boolean operators to build a strong search.

Screen shot of EBSCO subject terms search tab.
Screen shot of subject terms search in advanced search box after using the join terms option.

2. Use the Dropdown Menu to Select “Subject”

Each search box in Advanced Search has a dropdown menu. Instead of searching all fields, choose Subject. This limits results to items tagged with your chosen subject term.

Why use this?

  • Narrows down a large or overwhelming keyword search.

  • Reduces irrelevant results.

  • Helps you focus on sources most relevant to your topic.

Tip: Other useful fields in the dropdown include Author, Title, or Abstract for different kinds of precision searching.
Screen shot of EBSCO advanced search with "Subject Terms - SU" selected from the dropdown menu

3. Use the Subject Filters After a Search

After you run a search, click the Filters button under the search box. Two options you’ll often see are:

Subject: Thesaurus Terms

  • Created from a controlled vocabulary by experts
  • Uses consistent, standardized subject headings
  • Produces very precise, focused results

Subject

  • Often pulled directly from author keywords
  • Less standardized than thesaurus terms
  • Can be broader and retrieve more varied results
Screen shot of EBSCO search with filter button and subject filters highlighted.
Tip: Both filters help you narrow your search, but Thesaurus Terms are best for precision, while the standard Subject filter can help you catch extra keywords or emerging topics.