Before you begin your research, you need a topic. To get topic ideas and background information, look at encyclopedias, textbooks, professional society websites, journals, news sites, or newspapers.
When you're reading about your topic, write down some keywords or phrases. These terms will help you when you're ready to search for articles.
1) Write down the topic you're interested in researching
Example: Migratory patterns of Killer Whales in the Pacific
2) Breakdown you topic into keywords.
Example: Migratory patterns of Killer Whales in the Pacific
3) Next, right of list of synonyms for each keyword
Example: Migratory patterns (migration, migrate, range, habitat), Killer Whales (Orca, Orcinus orca), Pacific (Pacific Ocean)
4) Choose a database and plug the keywords into different search boxes. If you only have one search box, you can use an AND in between the words
Example: Migratory patterns AND orcinus orca AND pacific ocean
For additional searching tips, visit our guide on search strategies.
Visit our Getting Started with Research page!
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