How do you use a database efficiently?

When using an electronic database, they can sometime be confusing and intimidating. When first accessing a database, you are actually working with the interface. The interface is the screen at the beginning when you construct the keywords, boolean operators, and rules regarding full text, peer reviewed, language, etc. The user is able to access the database after using the interface to narrow down the search. Databases can be either efficient or inefficient if you know how to use the interface. When deciding on kewords, do not use natural language. Formal words for the information that is being searched is often the most helpful. Using the boolean operators can either narrow or broaden the search. AND will narrow the search as you will only find information with both words. OR allows the search to look for information with either word, but both do not have to be in it; therefore, expanding the search. Narrowing the the age of the information can also be helpful and necessary. The interface ultimately is what makes the database search efficient and useful.