Introduction

In Module 3, you will learn how to:

  • Develop an effective search strategyby combining key concepts in a research question using Boolean operators (AND, OR, quotations, parentheses)
  • Describe the difference between a database and a search tool
  • Use the library website to identify subject-specific databases
  • Apply your search strategy and select at least 4 studies relevant to your question

Why care?

Now that you’ve done some preliminary searching on a your topic, come up with a research question, and learned how to identify the concepts and some keywords in your research question, how do you refine your question and search for those concepts in a database to find good evidence? Combining your search terms using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), quotes, and parentheses to create a search strategy is the first step to creating a focused and powerful search strategy.