Tips&tricks for searching on databases and catalogues

On electronic sources of information (catalogues, databases, search engines) each document is reachable by typing keywords in defined fields: title, author, subject, publication year, abstract, language etc. 

Search modes are generally the following:

Basic search, which allows you to launch a search in all the fields:

• it's easy and quick
  
• it generates many results and you need filters or facets to select useful documents 

Advanced search, which allows you to launch a search in defined fields:

• it generates less results, but more relevant
• it requires a better knowledge of search strategies