ERIC: How to Use the ERIC Database: How to Search

Searches can be done across all fields [Anywhere] OR designed for specific search fields. Fields often used include ABSTRACT, AUTHOR, TITLE or SUBJECT HEADING. Use more than one search field if you want to combine search terms -- use AND. OR, or NOT in the box next to the search term.

Use the Thesaurus to find suggestions for search terms based on Subject terms used by the ERIC database.

To search by SUBJECT TERMS, select Subjects below the search box.  Enter a keyword or phrase in the Search for Terms in ERIC-Thesaurus box, then adjust the display list by clicking on either Term Begins With (default) or Relevancy Ranked. 

Next select a subject term by checking the box to the left of the term -- and both broader and narrower terms will be displayed.  If you want to include all the subject terms in addition to the primary term, check the box to the left of each term. By default these terms are combined using OR. Select AND or NOT if you prefer. Select Add to Search to add the selected subject term to an Advanced Search. This same process can be used to add additional subject terms from the Thesaurus to the Advanced Search. 

Select the blue SEARCH button when your combined search has been constructed.

From the Advanced Search page, you can select limits such as peer reviewed, educational level, publication date, document type, language, and others. Limiting to Journal Articles (EJ) will provide results only from published journals while Documents (ED) will provide various grey literature such as reports, case studies, proceedings, posters, and other types of submissions.