This page explains the steps for basic searching. For more in-depth searching, choose a specific database from the menu.
Research Question: Write your research topic as a question. Be sure that your question accurately summarizes your research topic.
Major Concepts: Examine your research question, what are the major concepts? The chart will help you identify good search terms.
Database Search Strategy Table: Use the table below to organize your thoughts before beginning your search.
Example research question: Does strength training improve performance and prevent injury for runners?
| Major Concepts | Key Words (Synonyms, brand names, abbreviations) |
|---|---|
| Runners |
Runners, Running |
| Strength training | Strength training, resistance training, weightlifting |
| Performance | Performance |
| Injury prevention | Injury prevention, injury, injuries |
Very basic: (_______) AND (_______ ) AND (_______)
More advanced: (____ OR ____) AND (____ OR ____) AND (____ OR ____)
Example search strategy for the research example in the table above: (running OR runners) AND (strength training OR resistance training OR weightlifting) AND (performance OR injury prevention)
The design of this page was partly adapted from Research: By Course, Subject, or Topic, by University of Arizona Libraries, © 2020 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.