Search Tips for the
VECTOR Library
Find exactly what you need with these search techniques and strategies.
Effective Search Strategies
The VECTOR Library Database provides multiple ways to search and filter information to help you find vector and vector-borne disease resources quickly and efficiently. Here are some tips to make your search experience more productive.
Start Broad
Begin with general keywords related to your topic to see the range of available resources.
Apply Filters
Use category filters to narrow down results by source type, region, disease, and more.
Refine Search
Add specific keywords to target exactly what you need from the filtered results.
Using the Global Search Bar
The search bar at the top of the database allows you to search across multiple fields at once. This is useful for finding specific terms anywhere in the database.
- Enter specific terms like disease names (e.g., "Lyme disease" or "West Nile virus")
- Search for vector types (e.g., "mosquito" or "tick")
- Look for resource types (e.g., "fact sheet" or "training guide")
The search is not case-sensitive, so typing "west nile" or "West Nile" will yield the same results.
Using Category Filters
The database has dropdown filters that allow you to narrow your search by specific categories. Combining these filters can help you quickly find relevant resources.
- Source Type: Filter by Cooperative Extension, Public Health Agency, or Academic Source
- Vector Type: Filter by mosquito, tick, flea, or other vectors
- Geographic Region: Filter by US region or international areas
- Resource Type: Filter by educational materials, surveillance data, guidelines, and more
To find mosquito control guidelines for the Southeastern US, select: Vector Type: Mosquito · Geographic Region: Southeast · Resource Type: Guidelines
Combining Search Techniques
For the most precise results, combine the global search with category filters. This approach allows you to search for specific terms within filtered categories.
To find academic research on permethrin-treated clothing for tick prevention:
- Select Source Type: Academic Source
- Select Vector Type: Tick
- In the search bar, type "permethrin clothing"
Search by Document Type
You can search for specific types of resources by using relevant keywords in the search bar or by using the Resource Type filter.
- Education materials: "fact sheet", "brochure", "poster", "curriculum"
- Technical documents: "guideline", "protocol", "procedure", "manual"
- Research: "study", "research", "journal", "publication", "data"
To find downloadable resources, try searching for file type keywords like "PDF", "document", or "form".
Source-Specific Searching
Different phases of our database focus on different source types. You can target your search to specific source categories based on your needs.
- Phase 1 — Cooperative Extension: Educational materials for communities and professionals
- Phase 2 — Public Health: Guidelines and protocols from government agencies
- Phase 3 — Academic: Research papers and scholarly resources
To find only Cooperative Extension resources about mosquito control:
- Select Source Type: Cooperative Extension
- In the search bar, type "mosquito control"
Refining Your Results
If your initial search returns too many results, you can refine them using these techniques:
- Add more specific terms to your search query
- Apply additional category filters
- Use compound terms (e.g., "tick-borne disease prevention" instead of just "tick")
- Filter by date or region if available
If your search returns too few results, try broadening your terms or removing some filters.