If you haven't already done so, review the SEARCH TERMS FAQ. They will give you a great idea of forming your search terms, but here are some tips if they aren't working for you.
No search gives you bad results.
Though you may not find exactly what you are looking for, each search will give you instructions on how to fix it to improve your results. You are looking more for breadcrumbs than you are looking for exact results.
- Look at your results not just for what's there but also for what's missing. Think about how you can amend your terms to add that piece in there. Maybe you need to add another search term that clarifies what aspect of the general topic you want.
- If an article is almost what you're looking for but not entirely, take a look at the subject terms to see if any could be useful.
- Are there variables in those other articles that maybe you didn't think of but would be valid to add to your topic?
Options:
Google it
- Googling (or Google Scholar) your search terms is a great way to find other versions or synonyms for your terms. Many times, I have found out that I was thinking about something differently than I needed to choose the correct term to search.
Chunking
- You should start with a broad search. Feel free to first put all the pieces of your topic in a search to see if anything comes up, but it's more likely that you will chunk your topic together in different ways to put the pieces of your research puzzle together.
- ex. social media use of teenagers and its effect on body image
- I might search for:
- social media use AND teenagers
- social media use AND body image
- body image AND teenagers
- It may be helpful to map out your topic and possible search terms.
