Designing a Search

The more complex your research topic, the more types of searches you will need to perform - this is a very normal part of research!

You can use this "formula" for advanced search design in library databases:

1. As shown in the example search below, type the first word into the first search box. 
2. Notice the Boolean "AND" narrows and focuses your search to the specific aspect of food you want to know more about
3. If there are synonyms or related words to the concept, you have the option to add the with "OR" (within the second search box).
   • Example: coffee AND production OR processing OR manufacturing

(click all images to enlarge)

1. If there are variant words for your food, you can connect them with "OR" in the first search box.
2. If there are search phrases, put them in quotes to keep the search terms together, as a single concept.
   • Example: flour OR wheat OR "grain industry" AND production OR processing OR manufacturing

(click on image to enlarge)​​​​​​​

1. Below choose the aspect of your food that you want to know more about such as History/Industry, Production, Distribution, Consumption and Social Aspects.
   You may need to perform a few different, separate searches to find info on aspects of your food
2. Under the headings below, copy the string of search words (the string of words connected by OR) for the specific aspect of your food
3. Then, paste that string of search words into the search tools in the Find Books and Finding Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Journal Articles tabs
4. Below are simply search suggestions; you can of course design your own searches if you wish!

History/Industry of Food 

[enter your food name]
AND
history OR industry OR economics OR commodity OR agribusiness OR chain 

Production

• option 1:

[enter your food name]
AND
labor OR labour OR growers OR farmers OR farming OR ranchers OR ranching 

• option 2:

[enter your food name]
AND
production OR processing OR manufacturing  

Distribution

[enter your food name]
AND
distribution OR export OR trade OR market OR broker OR regulation 

Consumption

[enter your food name]
AND
consumption OR retail OR marketing

Social Aspects

• option 1:

[enter your food name]
AND
"social conditions" or "social aspects"

• option 2:

[enter your food name]
AND
culture OR cultural

• option 3:

[enter your food name]
AND
gender OR ethnic OR racial