Save Time with Shortcuts
An asterisk is a wild card - if you search for video game*, you'll return results for video game, video games, video gamers, video gaming, etc
Quotation marks return results for a specific phrase - if you search for video game, you'll return articles that mention the words video and game, not necessarily together. A search for "video game" will focus your search to that phrase.
OR helps you to search for synonyms. Rather than searching for "video game," then for "computer game," then for "electronic game," try "video game" OR "computer game" OR "electronic game"
Subjects in databases/DELCAT can be really helpful - if you find a good article, check the subject list to see if there are others worth searching.
Image from Communication & Mass Media Complete:
Image from DELCAT:
Search Terms
Remember to be creative with your search terms! Research on the representation of women in video games, for example, will include searching for related terms like gender, female, feminine.
Here are some common terms to try for game studies research, and links to resources in DELCAT:
- Computer games
- Cultural and media studies
- Fantasy games
- Interactive multimedia
- Internet games
- Mass media and culture
- Video games
You may find more specific subjects for your topic, such as: