Sign in to the library using your NetID at <https://libraries.towson.edu/>. Then, select the Database button and choose Education Research Complete.

Click the "Term Contains" field beneath the Browsing: Education Thesaurus search bar (NOT the database search bar).

Type the main idea you're struggling to find results on; in this case, let's try: "differentiate"

Turns out: There are various database-approved terms depending upon what aspect of differentiation you're interested in. In this case, let's assume we're interested in differentiated instruction. That means, select "INDIVIDUALIZED instruction"

A new search results page appears. Click "INDIVIDUALIZED instruction" again.

Read the definition of this term closely, to ensure it is in fact the database-approved term for the concept you're researching. In this case, individualized instruction is defined as: "Here are entered works on the instruction method in which the content and educational materials are modified to the interests and learning speed of the individual student."

Here are entered works on the instruction method in which the content and educational materials are modified to the interests and learning speed of the individual student. [EPC]

That sounds good, so: Click this checkbox.

The database also identifies related terms. Browse the list and select any checkboxes that seem helpful. Let's select the checkbox for "INDIVIDUAL needs"

Let's also select the checkbox for "INDIVIDUALIZED programs"

Once you've selected all relevant terms, scroll back to the top of the list and select "Add."

Now, scroll back up to the very top of the page. The database has automatically added all selected Thesaurus Terms to the database search box. We're now ready to "Search"!

Note: DE is just the acronym this database uses to indicate you're using Thesaurus Terms to search, not regular keywords. I don't know why they use DE though!

This Thesaurus Terms search yields 2,488 results. If you search each of these three phrases as keywords instead (by removing the DE), you get much more!

Let's prepare to conduct this same search using keywords. First:

Now, let's use [Keyword VS Thesaurus Term Search (Guide 2)](https://scribehow.com/shared/Keyword_VS_Thesaurus_Term_Search_Guide_2__6zI9xCpyS26OR4-BgCjDMQ) to see just how different the results are!

Towson

The language we use to talk about ideas changes frequently; not so in databases. To speak the language the database understands, browse its Thesaurus Terms! This guide demonstrates the process within Education Research Complete.

Determine Thesaurus Terms (Guide 1)