Things to remember when using Library Search:
Sign in to save searches, items, and to request materials.
Use the pin icon to save books and articles.
Use the filters on the right. You will use Availability, Resource Type, and Date filters most often.
Some items won't be available. You can request unavailable items using interlibrary loan.
When viewing an item record, scroll down to the Get It or Full-Text section to get the item.
Use the Virtual Browse when viewing a record of a print book to see books on the same topic
You can search in a way to combine or omit different terms by telling the search engine exactly what you want…this can help you save some time (and frustration!)
Use quotation marks to keep phrases together "scholarship of teaching and learning"
Use AND to combine search terms biology AND teaching AND undergraduate
Use OR to connect two or more similar terms "SoTL OR "scholarship of teaching and learning"
Use NOT to omit unwanted results "curriculum design" AND undergraduate NOT "K-12"
Use wild cards to substitute a letter or suffix with a symbol technolog*
Note: Google uses different commands: ~; -; +; :site.gov
The University of Leeds Library breaks down the steps of how to refine your search very nicely.
University of Waterloo Library provides an extensive list of possible search terms to apply
Tips from a personal hero - “SoTL is a strawberry field,” and we need to look within a variety of patches" (M. MacMillan, 2016). Try to think about your topic and possible terms by grouping them by phenomenon, population, methods & discipline.
Example Question #1
What are strategies in assessing how a course assignment with a student activism component changes student's views on civic engagement?
"social activism" AND "course assignment" AND assessment
"civic engagement" AND "teaching and learning" *(tip - I add terms like SoTL, Hutchings, etc, to ensure I am getting SoTL literature)
"letter writing" AND activism AND "course assignment" AND academic performance
"letter writing" AND activism AND likert AND teaching *(add different assessment tools/methods to your search - eg: survey, qualitative interviews).
Example Question #2
What are Chemistry professor's perceptions on undergraduate student learning and retention?
chemistry AND "student learning" faculty OR professors
Chemistry AND "faculty perceptions" AND "student learning" AND STEM
interviews AND "chemistry professors" AND "student learning"
English
Arts & Humanities in Higher Education
Research in the Teaching of English
International Journal of Innovation in English Language Teaching and Research
Languages and Culture
Language Learning in Higher Education
The Journal of Language Teaching and Learning
Journal of Spanish Language Teaching
Journal of Language Teaching and Research
Canadian Modern Language Review
Women and Gender Studies
Philosophy
Studies in Philosophy and Education
Religious Studies
Journal of Adult Theological Education (JATE)
British Journal of Theological Education
Journal of Religious Education
Teaching Theology and Religion
Indigenous Studies
Canadian Journal of Native Education
Australian Journal of Indigenous Education
Journal of American Indian Education
Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
Linguistics
International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Humanities
Social Work
Journal of Teaching in Social Work
Journal of Social Work Education
Canadian Journal of Social Work Education
Psychology
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology
Psychology Learning and Teaching
Journal of Educational Psychology
Criminal Justice
Journal of Criminal Justice Education
Journal of Correctional Education
Sociology and Anthropology
Anthropology & Education Quarterly
British Journal of Sociology of Education
Political Science/Policy Studies
Journal of Political Science Education
PS: Political Science & Politics
History
Teaching History (A Journal of Methods)
Sociology and Anthropology
Anthropology & Education Quarterly
Economics
Journal of Economics Education
Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research
International Review of Economic Education
Interior Design and Art History
International Journal of Art & Design Education
Canadian Revue of Art Education, Research and Issues
Journal of Social Theory in Art Education
Journal of Aesthetic Education
General
International Journal of Science Education
Journal of Research in Science Teaching
Journal of Science Education and |Technology
Biology
Advances in Physiology Education
Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching
Journal of Biological Education
Math & Computer Science
Mathematics & Computer Education
Chemistry
Chemistry Education Research and Practice
Chemistry Education Research and Practice (CERP)
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Journal of Geoscience Education
Journal of Geography in Higher Education
Journal of Environmental Education
Canadian Journal of Environmental Education
Environmental Education Research
Physics
Nursing
Teaching and Learning in Nursing
International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship
Health and Physical Education
Physical and Health Education Journal
European Physical Education Review
Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning
Journal of Outdoor Education, Recreation and Leadership
Education
International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
The Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (JoSoTL)