What are the key techniques for effectively narrowing or expanding library catalog searches?

Advanced search techniques allow researchers to control search results through several methods. To narrow results, use quotation marks around phrases, combine terms with AND connectors, and utilize publication date filters. Limiting searches to the past five years ensures more current materials on topics like social media and activism. To expand searches, employ wildcards (asterisks) to capture multiple word forms (e.g., activist* for activist and activism), connect terms with OR operators, and explore subject links in relevant items. These techniques work in most databases, allowing for comprehensive yet focused research results. Experimenting with different combinations of search terms and field-specific searches (subject, title, author) yields the most relevant materials.