Beginning ResearchBeginning Research

Creating Search Strategies

What is the best method to teach young children to read?

STEP ONE:DESCRIBE YOUR TOPIC

What do the

experts say?

Keyword 1 Keyword 2 Keyword 3

method children reading

STEP TWO:IDENTIFY THE KEYWORDS

What is the best method to teach young children to read?

• childrenchildren• childchild• kid(s)kid(s)• student(s)student(s)

Think of synonyms, variations, and related terms for your concepts.

STEP THREE:EXPAND YOUR KEYWORDS

Keyword 1 Keyword 2 Keyword 3keyword method Child

ChildrenRead

readingrelated term

system Kid, kids literacy

related term

teaching Student(s)elementary

Consider synonyms, variations, or related terms.

A database will not always respond to A database will not always respond to whole sentences or even phraseswhole sentences or even phrases

so you need to use keywords.so you need to use keywords.

Why all these words?Why all these words?

TRY: TRY: method AND child AND reading

NOT: NOT: What is the best method to teach young children to read?

You do not have to use all of the terms in one search.

Try different combinations.

There are various ways to search…

STEP FOUR:COMBINE YOUR TERMS

COMBINE YOUR TERMS

Connect concepts with AND:

method AND children AND reading

Connect related terms with OR:

method AND (reading OR literacy) AND children

Plural vs. singular = different results

Watch for misspellings

Use truncation * eg.) teach* returns>> teach, teacher, teachers, teaching

Research tips to increase results:

Try different keywords (synonyms & related terms)Try different keywords (synonyms & related terms)

Try different combinations using Try different combinations using ANDAND & & OROR

Make sure you spelled your keywords correctlyMake sure you spelled your keywords correctly

Try a different databaseTry a different database

Don’t give up! Ask a Librarian for help with your topicDon’t give up! Ask a Librarian for help with your topic

Didn’t find articles related to your topic?Didn’t find articles related to your topic?

• Need Help? – Ask a Librarian– Reference Desk

• Phone: (716) 286-8022• e-mail: reflib@niagara.edu• in person for one-on-one help

• http://www.niagara.edu/library

Services and Information Resources

Now you are ready to search!