This document provides tips for finding relevant articles for research. It recommends choosing appropriate databases and identifying search terms by reading background information on the topic. Search techniques like using one concept per search box, truncation, and quotation marks are suggested. Common mistakes to avoid include searches that are too narrow or broad, not following citation links, and failing to save searches. Tips include searching specific journals and authors, and reviewing reference lists of relevant articles.

1. Finding Articles for your Research
By
Kristin Kroger, MLIS
kk663@nova.edu or 954-262-3117

2. Choose the right database(s)

3. Identify search terms:
• To find/identify search terms:
– read background information about the topic.
(ex) Look up your topic in a medical dictionary or
use the Credo Reference database and its concept
mapping feature to find search terms

4. Best Practices:
• Use one word or concept for each search box.
• If you must use a phrase, put them in
quotation marks or parentheses: "over the
counter"

5. How are the results ranked/displayed?
• Use truncation (Example: therap* will look for
keywords such as therapy AND therapies AND
therapists)
• Don't use "effect of" or "cause of"- databases do not
apply logic to your searches

6. • Look at the Subjects listed for each article as
well as the article titles.
• Articles probably won’t "match" your search
exactly.

7. 5 Common researching mistakes

8. 1. Looking for ARTICLE titles that
exactly match your topic.
• You will miss important articles
• Articles related to your topic will have data
you can use

9. 2. Search terms are too narrow or
too broad.
• If your result list is too small, try broadening
your topic or any of your limiters geographic
location, date range age of population.
– (EX) change Invisalign to dental appliances OR
– Fort Lauderdale to Florida or United States
• If your result list is over 1,000 articles - limit
your search by date, subject or other factors

10. 3. Missing citation pearls.
• If you find an excellent article, select the
author or subject links to find more like it.
Use the ‘Find Similar’ or
‘Related citations’ option

11. 4. Forgetting to save searches & search
terms that produce great results in
[Your Folder] for future reference.
• You can rerun your searches and uncover
newer articles during your research time
period
• You may change the direction of your search
and need to remember how you found your
original articles

12. 5. Choosing a topic that is too
specific
• If you narrow your topic before researching
too much, you may have difficulty articles.
• It is often easier to pick your [talking/writing]
points after seeing what information exists in
the literature

13. Tips & Tricks

14. • Some journals print a theme-based issue once
or twice per year-see the other articles in the
same issue for more information on your
topic.
• Some journals are perfect for researching your
topic. Search within that journal to find more
information. (ex) Journal of Telemedicine &
Telecare

15. • Try researching using your author names.
Often authors write more than one article
about a specific topic.
• Go citation surfing! Look at the reference list
for your article, you're bound to find one or
two gems.