How to develop a search strategy.

1. How to Develop Your
Search Strategy
* Searching Academic Databases is NOT
the same as searching Google….

2. This is usually an effective
strategy for Google, but will
NOT work well in academic
databases…. To search
databases you need a Search
Strategy
When using Google
it is common to
type questions or
long phrases into
the single, basic
search bar.
Photo credit: Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/15-seriously-funny-google-search-results-2011-8

3. Why Use a Search Strategy….
Why You Should Develop a Search Strategy
 1. Developing a search strategy will help you to define and refine your
research question.
 2. A search strategy will save you time.
 3. A search strategy can make your research path reproducible and
understandable.
 4. Developing a search strategy is an iterative process that can inform your
research and the sources you select.
Developing a search strategy does more than help you locate sources for a paper
or presentation, the process of search strategy development aides in refining
your research question & informs the research process.
Because a strategy will save time & energy and allow you to
locate the best resources for your paper

4. Search Strategy
1. Divide your research
question into
concepts.
2. Identify synonyms or
related terms for
each concept.
3. Combine terms using
Boolean logic (AND,
OR).
4. Select search tools.
There are 4 Steps to developing a search
strategy:
Photo credit: CSUN Oviatt Library

5. Step 1. Divide your
research question into
concepts.
soda
obesity
children
Topic: Does drinking soda cause obesity in children?
Tip: Viable research topics usually contain 2-4 concepts.

6. Step 2. Identify
synonyms or related
terms for each concept.
Soda Pop
• Carbonated
beverages
• Soft Drink
Obesity
• Weight gain
• Overweight*
• Body mass
Children
• adolescents
• Juveniles
• youth
* Notice that “overweight” is not exactly synonymous with obesity, especially in clinical literature. But,
for this research question the two terms are related concepts. Research on the link between soda and
being overweight will help me address my research question. So, “overweight” adds value to my search.

7. Boolean Logic uses everyday terms
(AND, OR, NOT) to create
relationships between your search
concepts.
After you have your search terms you need to combine
them in a meaningful way…
Step 3. Combine terms
using Boolean logic (AND,
OR).

8. Use AND to Narrow
Boolean
Operators
Use OR to Broaden
*Search results will
contain sources with ALL
search terms
rock AND roll
This search for will retrieve
sources containing both the
word "rock" and the word
"roll." It will locate items
about rock and roll music. But,
it might also locate sources
that contain both words in a
different context, such as
“Rolling the rock quickly
produces friction."
* Search Results will
contain sources with
ANY of the search
terms
Rock OR Roll
This search will retrieve
sources containing either
the word "rock" or the
word "roll" – but not
necessarily both.
Information about music,
geography, stones, etc.
will be found.
Rock Roll
Use NOT to Narrow
*Eliminates results containing
the term after the word NOT
Rock NOT Roll
Rock RollNOT
Rock Roll
This search will retrieve sources containing the word
"rock" but NOT the word "roll." Information about stones,
gems and other types of rocks will be found.
Example adapted from BGSU University Libraries.

9. This is what the search strategy for our topic looks like in a database:
Use the Boolean operator OR to connect synonyms for each
concept.
Use AND to
connect
concepts.
***Place one concept from your topic in
each search box***
Topic: Does drinking soda cause obesity in children?
Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3
soda obesity children
Soft drink overweight adolescents
Carbonated
beverages
Body mass youth

10. Step 4. Select
Search Tools
Think about who would
read/write about your
topic. What discipline or
field are they in?
After you have brainstormed your search terms, select
the library search tool (i.e. databases, catalog, etc.)
focused on your topic.
Use the RU Library research guides to explore search tools
specific to academic disciplines and fields.
http://libguides.roosevelt.edu/index.php

11. Troubleshooting
Not Enough Articles?
 Use fewer keywords, check your spelling, search a
different database.
Too Many Articles?
 Add another keyword. Narrow your search by date, etc.
Off Topic Results?
 Use “ ” around keyword phrases. Narrow searches with
limiting tools.