Research Tips

Search vs. Research

Finding Quality Sources

Explains why using online research databases provided by the library is more beneficial than simply doing Google searches when conducting research.

Explanation of the difference between Primary and Secondary Sources from American University.

Explanation of the different types of articles, their target audiences, and when to use each from Illinois State University.

Keyword Tips and Tricks

Identify the main concepts of your topic.
Brainstorm synonyms, related terms, and antonyms that could be used to describe your topic.
Avoid using terms that are:
- Abbreviations - spell them out instead or use both the abbreviation and the full word connected with the word OR
- Relationship words - like compare, contrast, correlation, causation, relationship
- Judgment words - best, worst, pro, con, advantages, disadvantages

Boolean Operators: Using the Advanced Search feature of the online databases, combine your keywords together using Boolean operators: AND, OR and NOT
Quotation Marks: Use quotation marks around phrases - "heart rate" (will not find the use of heart or rate separately, only together)
Truncation: Use an asterisk after word stems - educat* (will find all words with that root - educate, educator, education, etc.)

Page updated

Report abuse