*Criminal Justice Research Guide*

• Put complete phrases in quotes: "serial killer"
• Click the checkbox for Full Text.
• Click the checkbox for Peer Reviewed when your instructor requires scholarly sources.
• Search 2-3 keywords at a time.
• Search with specific keywords, not questions
• Use the Subject Terms tool (in Academic Search Complete) to help you find the best database terms for your research
• Use Boolean operators to fine-tune your search:

AND connects two unrelated words (example: crime victims AND psychological effects)

OR connects similar words for more results (serial killers OR serial murderers)

NOT eliminates results with a specific word (serial killers NOT victims)

eBook Databases

eBooks are helpful for learning a lot about the general topic of serial killers all in one place. You don't have to read the entire book for it to be helpful! eBooks are hyperlinked and searchable, making them easy to navigate and find information quickly. You may not find an entire eBook about your serial killer, but eBooks may have individual chapters or sections about different serial killers.

Article Databases

Use an article database when you're ready to find shorter pieces of information about serial killers or criminological theories.