Become a Better Researcher

To be an efficient and effective searcher...

• Be creative! Try different search words, such as synonyms or related words
• Be flexible - try broad keyword searches first, followed by narrow keyword searches
• Learn as you go! Keep your eyes open for new vocabulary that you find in your sources (book, article or website results), and use this new search vocabulary for your next search
• Be willing to ask for help from a librarian!
• Be persistent! Look in more than one place - use all the search tools available to you, such as the following:
  • Library databases
  • Primo One Search (the library's online catalog)
  • The internet

Using Relevant Search Words

1. First try broad search words relating to your topic, such as:

• genetically modified foods 

2. Next, try a new search.  Add words to narrow your search, such as the following

• nutrition
• legislation
• controversy
• poverty
• hunger
• health safety
• environment
• agribusiness
• small farms
• food labeling
• pest resistance

Here are some example searches: 

• genetically modified food labeling
• genetically modified food safety
• genetically modified food hunger

3. Also consider brainstorming synonyms or related terms for search words

• Example: hunger- food supply, food security, famine, malnutrition
   
• Example searches:
  • genetically modified food famine
  • genetically modified hunger
  • genetically modified food malnutrition

Search Strategies 

1. Start by searching for Background information 
2. When searching the library catalog, databases, or the internet, use AND / OR / NOT to help you broaden or narrow your search results
3. Use truncation symbols (usually ? or *) in library catalogs and databases to capture all forms of words (forest* will retrieve forest, forests, forester, forested, foresting).
4. Keep searches simple using basic search words.
   For example, search on body image women rather than how does body image affect women in the United States?
5. Use a variety of search words. 
   For example, try different searches to find different results:

• body image women
• self-image women
• personal appearance women
• anorexia women
• body image teenagers

Identify Search Words and Strategies

Download the checklist below to help you ask questions that will organize your research.

• Download the AND / OR Search Strategies chart