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STAT4010: Searching and Skimming

How to Search

Identify the main concepts in your question and develop keywords based upon that question. Brainstorm synonyms and related concepts for your keywords. 

Make your search more effective by using the following to separate your keywords (terms):

  • AND - find all  the terms -  "age discrimination" AND workplace

  • OR - find any of the terms - workplace OR workforce

  • NOT - exclude a certain term - Americas NOT "United States"

You can find credible information using Library Search, the main search box on the library homepage. You also may need to select subject specific resources and/or search engines like Google to fully answer your research question. It is good practice to draw information from a variety of sources.

EXAMPLE: A search string could be:

("storm ponds" OR "retention ponds" OR "drainage ponds") AND sediment AND sonar

Search String Builder

The Search String Builder is a tool designed to teach you how to create a search string using Boolean logic. While it is not a database and is not designed to input a search, you should be able to cut and paste the results into most databases’ search boxes.

Use quotes to "phrase search" when you have two or more words as keywords.

Use truncation to search for potential suffixes of words. Example: calibrat* would retrieve calibrate, calibration, calibrated, etc.

You can also use NOT to exclude results with a keyword, but not recommended until you actually search and if it's appropriate.

  Concept 1 AND Concept 2 AND Concept 3
List your main concepts here - keywords derived from your research question    
Search terms Search terms Search terms

List alternate terms for each concept.

These can be synonyms, or they can be specific examples of the concept.
 

OR

OR

OR

OR

OR

OR

OR

OR

OR

Now copy and paste the above Search String into a database search box.

The Search Strategy Builder was developed by the University of Arizona Libraries(CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).

Where to Search

The two main places you should be looking for articles is in the Library and in Google Scholar. Search boxes are available for both at the bottom of this section.

Tips for Searching the Library

  • Narrow to "Academic Journals" on the left. Note: not every academic article is a research article!
  • Use the cite button on the library record page, but make sure to check it against our APA guide for accuracy. 
  • Save the PDF copy for easier access when off-campus.
  • Ask for help - from your librarian or at the Information Desk/through library chat.

Tips for Searching Google Scholar

  • Check the cited by link.
  • Use the cite button below the article description, but make sure to check it against our APA guide for accuracy. 
  • Narrow a search by searching for keywords only in the title of articles by using intitle:
  • Add SAIT Library as a Library Link.
  • For more tips and info, check out our Google Scholar guide.

Can't get access to an article without paying? Request it through interlibrary loan.

Library Search

Advanced Library Search
Google Scholar Search

Skimming Research Articles

You don't need to read research articles like a book - check for the following information in each listed section:

  • ABSTRACT - read to determine if study is relevant/worth looking more into
  • INTRODUCTION - look for research question (e.g. the purpose of this study, this study examines)
  • LITERATURE REVIEW - look for what gap in the research they are filling  (e.g. past studies have shown, little has been done)
  • METHODS - check for study type (quan/qual/mixed), check for instrument (survey, experiment, previously gathered data), check for population (demographics, size, applicability)
  • RESULTS - question whether they achieved what they set out to do
  • DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION - look for limitations and areas for future research
  • BIBLIOGRAPHY - check for reference list citations. Copy and paste the title of articles into the Library/Google Scholar to locate

NOTE: The above is the general layout for empirical research articles, but the title/organization of sections can vary depending on the journal. 

Additional Resources

This table provides a comparison of the common types of articles published in academic journals.

These worksheets can help break down an academic research article. Compare the annotated PDFs with the completed examples.

Using Boolean operators to create your search strings can make your searching more efficient and effective.

Need Help?

Connect with the librarian who came to your STAT4010 class. If a librarian did not visit your class, choose the Academic Services and Student Services Librarian.

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