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
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.
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).
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
Tips for Searching Google Scholar
Can't get access to an article without paying? Request it through interlibrary loan.
You don't need to read research articles like a book - check for the following information in each listed section:
NOTE: The above is the general layout for empirical research articles, but the title/organization of sections can vary depending on the journal.
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.
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.