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Create A Search

This document provides guidance on creating effective search strategies for research topics. It instructs the user to identify key words and synonyms for the research topic and combine them using Boolean operators like AND and OR. AND is used to combine distinct concepts while OR combines synonyms. The document provides an example search strategy for the topic "impact of global warming on polar bears" that identifies keywords, synonyms, and uses Boolean operators to construct multi-concept search strings. Tips are also given for expanding keyword lists and adjusting search strategies through trial and error.

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Dana Longley
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100% found this document useful (2 votes)
168 views

Create A Search

This document provides guidance on creating effective search strategies for research topics. It instructs the user to identify key words and synonyms for the research topic and combine them using Boolean operators like AND and OR. AND is used to combine distinct concepts while OR combines synonyms. The document provides an example search strategy for the topic "impact of global warming on polar bears" that identifies keywords, synonyms, and uses Boolean operators to construct multi-concept search strings. Tips are also given for expanding keyword lists and adjusting search strategies through trial and error.

Uploaded by

Dana Longley
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Search Creation Chart

Use this worksheet to work through the process of creating a search strategy from your topic.

Research Question or Topic:____________________________________________________

Key words that succinctly describe topic: ____________ ______________ _____________

Synonyms / alternate terms or spelling? __________ _________ _________ ____________

Search Creation Chart 1 (combine different keywords using AND):

and and

Search Creation Chart 2 (combine synonyms using OR):

or or

Search Creation Chart 3 (combine synonyms with OR; group synonyms with parentheses):

( or ) and ( or )
Note: only use parentheses around two+ synonyms when combining them with other keywords using AND.

Tips:
 AND to combine different concepts (elderly and depression)
 OR to combine synonyms or words with similar meanings (education or learning or
pedagogy)
 Double quotes around phrases of 2+ words ("United States")
 Use dictionaries, thesauri & specialized encyclopedias to expand your list of keywords
 Searching is a trial & error process: if one search strategy doesn't work, try another!

Example:
 Topic: What is the impact of global warming on polar bears?
 Key words: global warming, polar bears
 Synonyms: climate change, Ursus maritimus
 Concept map 1: "global warming" and "polar bear" and habitat
 Concept map 2: "global warming" or "climate change" or "melting ice cap"
 Concept map 3: ("global warming" or "climate change") and ("polar bear" or "Ursus maritimus")

Dana Longley, Online Library 10/13/09

Empire State College State University of New York

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