Researching can be a very daunting and frustrating process. If we break down the word research, what do we get: 're' (again and again and again) and 'search' (try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly); so you are trying to find something again and again and again. No better way to define the process!
There are skills and techniques you can develop to help you become a better researcher. Below are only a few, as you search, you will develop more.
When you begin researching, keep an open mind. You may need to broaden or narrow down topics based on the information you are accessing - too many vs. not enough search results. You may also end up adjusting your research question a little, that is fine! Just try not to change it too drastically late in the process!
Remember, if you are getting frustrated or having trouble finding information, go ask your librarian for help! They love to research and assist.
Before you begin researching, make a list of keywords related to the topic or research questions. Do not just go to a website and type in the question, identify keywords from your question. Then, consider synonyms. This will provide access to more options and possible lead to better resources.
Example from American Public University System:
Research question: "Does the use of social networking in online classes help students learn?"
Key concepts and keywords:
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Try many different combinations when searching. You never know which one will produce the most beneficial options.
Examples (from our list above):
Using 'Advance Search,' along with keywords (and synonyms) will also help narrow down your possible resources. Most databases and even Google, have 'Advance Search', which encourages keywords, but also offers other options to limited the sources that are retrieved in the search. For example, looking up only certain domains (.gov, .org, .edu, etc) or taking out possible topics that will not be beneficial. For example, if I am researching literature reviews on a book, yet there is also a movie with the same name, I can remove all the websites tied to the film or movie.
*Note: On Google, 'Advance Search' is under Settings in the far right bottom corner.
Here are some other researching skills that might help you perform more beneficial searches:
1) Put exact keywords or exact phrases in ''quotation marks.'' When performing this search, it will only find sites with that exact word or phrase.
2) Use .pdf in your searches sometimes. This will pull PDF documents, which could be books, brochures, pamphlets, or other documents on a website you might not find in a normal search.
3) Using Boolean search terms such as AND, OR, and NOT to eliminate and/or specify searches - this is what an 'Advanced Search' does.
4) Search specific domains (.gov, .org, .edu, etc) to eliminate possible commercial sites that might not benefit your research. Example: just add site: .gov to your search, this will only pull government websites.
5) Go to Google Scholar to locate academic articles and books. These may only offer an abstract, but if you think the article will be helpful - go see your librarian, they might be able to locate it. (Note: On Google Scholar, 'Advance Search' is under the three bars in the top left corner.
Coulter, Priscilla. "Q. How Can I Pick the Best Keywords to Use When Researching
My Topic?" Richard G. Trefry Library, Springshare, 6 June 2023,
apus.libanswers.com/faq/2316. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.