Assignment Research 作業研究

Identify the key ideas in your topic 確定主題中的關鍵思想
These words will form the basis of your search. To do a really effective search you will need to think more deeply about the search words you use. Consider what words a variety of authors writing about your topic might use.   

You will find your information more effectively by asking the following four questions about your key search words:-

What synonyms or related words might usefully be included in my search? 我的搜尋可能包含哪些同義詞或相關字詞？

e.g. adolescents / teenagers   intervention / treatment

What about search words with variant endings? 有不同結尾的搜尋字詞怎麼樣？
This is specially important for finding both the singular and plural of search words. e.g.child* finds child/children/childhood
Note that in many databases you can use an asterisk at the end of the root word to find other endings.

What about search words with different spellings? 不同拼字的搜尋字詞怎麼樣？
This is important when searching international sources.  PsycINFO subject headings use North American spelling.  To do an effective search, you will need to incorporate both British and American spelling into your search, e.g. (behavior or behaviour).  

How do I connect my search words? 如何連接我的搜尋字詞？
How do we logically connect our search words to achieve our intended result?
Use or to connect synonyms and related words. Place brackets around words connected with or. e.g. (domestic violence or family violence).
Use and when you want to focus your search by adding in additional words e.g. child development and attachment

Experiment with combinations of search words to find the ones that retrieve the best information for your topic.

Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find definitions and background information. Articles from specialised subject encyclopaedias are authoritative and often substantial.

Read more on:

• Reference Material

Search the Library Catalogue or EBSCO Discovery Search to find books on your topic

• Use Title and Keyword searches to find additional material.

• When you find a useful title, click on its subject headings to find books on similar subjects.

• Browse the library shelves in the classification sequence for Early Childhood Education (LB, LC).

• Use the Reference Lists in your textbook and other recommended reading to find additional material.

Journal articles are very important as they publish the latest academic research on a topic. To find journal articles, you'll need to search the recommended databases for Early Childhood Education. 

Avoid plagiarism by citing all the sources of information you use in your essay using APA style.

Read more on: APA style 

• See the writing guides page for books about writing for Early Childhood Education.