E 314

Sometimes, you find exactly what you need with your first search. But it often doesn't work out that way! Try this step-by-step brainstorm before you search the library catalog or databases. 

1. Save time, prepare to research!

• Break your research question into key concepts (you'll connect these in your paper to make an original argument)
• For each of these concepts, brainstorm multiple keywords

• Try this keyword tool to brainstorm online and send the results to yourself.

2. Combine keywords using AND and OR:

• Too many results? Try using quotation marks around an exact phrase. Ex: "women's health"
• Still too many results? Narrow using AND. Ex: wom*n AND illness
• Too few results? Broaden using OR. Ex: (wom*n OR female*) AND (pain OR ill* OR disease)
• Put parentheses around synonyms.
• The asterisk finds multiple endings from a root word. Ex: wom* will bring back women, woman's, wombat, etc.

3. Brush up on the search tools available:

• Here are search tips for Google.
• Search tips for the Catalog are at the bottom of the Advanced Search page.
• Databases often include their own search tips. Tip: Look for a help link or a gear symbol.

Chat With Us

EID login required