Remember: Writing papers gets easier the more you do it. You may need help every step of the way for your first few projects -- that's okay! -- but soon you'll develop your own set of best practices.
What is my research really about?
Every research project starts with a question or thesis statement, but that's NOT what goes into a keyword search. Search boxes, such as those used by WKU Library's OneSearch and other academic databases, are typically designed to match as many search terms as possible to generate results. Therefore, cluttering your keyword search with "filler words" -- what, is, the, a, an, of, etc. -- can sometimes pull up results that don't actually fit your topic.
Key Topic Elements are the strongest, clearest, most important parts of your research question. THAT's what goes into your keyword search. Check out the table below for one example of how key topic elements can be identified and broken down.
| Sample Research Question: Does standardized testing accurately predict academic success? | |||||||
|
Standardized Testing |
Academic Success | ||||||
| SATs / ACTs | GPA | Degree Completion | GPA | ||||
| Composite | Written | HS Average | Weighted | Associate's | Graduate | 4-Year Average | Weighted |
These methods can also be used for narrowing down your research topic. What elements do you want to focus on? Try our Choosing a Topic and Selecting Keywords tutorial for more on narrowing/broadening your research focus.
How do I connect key topic elements?
While you will have to perform multiple searches with different keywords in order to ensure you're covering as much existing literature about your topic as possible, you can't search for your key topic elements one at a time and expect to see relevant results. Individually, each of your keywords may appear in hundreds of thousands of results spanning an endless array of subjects. Putting your keywords (or key topic elements) together is what makes the magic. Boolean operators allow you to do that.
AND [standardized testing AND academic success]
OR [ACT OR SAT]
NOT [academic success NOT male]
Note: Boolean operators can and should be used in conjunction with one another to enhance your keyword search string, but be wary of getting your results too narrow. Here are some examples...
How can I search using a multi-word term or phrase?
Many of your keywords will be single words, to avoid getting your search results too narrow, but sometimes you'll be looking for a specific phrase or multi-word term in your research. Especially in Health Sciences, you may be researching specific conditions or commonly used phrases related to patient care.
To search for a multi-word term or phrase as though it was a single keyword, put quotation marks around it. Quotation marks signal to the search system that you're looking for exact phrasing, and should filter out all instances in which those words are used separately.
Here's how that can affect your results...
Not only do quotation marks limit the number of results you have to sift through, but they can also eliminate related language that might not be exactly what you're looking for. Use quotation marks sparingly, though, because too many hyper-specific terms can limit your results unnecessarily.
What if I don't know which keyword is best to use?
If you're using a broad or more generalized term in your keyword search, you may not know which exact word will give you the most or best results. Instead of performing multiple keyword searches swapping out one word for each possible iteration, you can use an asterisk to catch all words with the same root.
Here are some examples...
How can I search for similar research if I find a source I really love?
When you find an article that perfectly matches your topic and/or what you're looking for in your research, it can be disheartening to think about going back through your other hundreds or thousands of results hoping for something just as good. Fortunately, there are ways you can use the really great resources you already have to find even more.
Citation tracing refers to the process of analyzing who's citing who in your field. Part of being a researcher is joining a scholarly network -- in which you're being informed by others' research, and others' research is being informed by yours. As a student, you may not be publishing peer-reviewed articles yet, but you can use the principles of the research network to lead you from one spot-on article to another.
Citation tracing happens in one of two ways, looking forward or looking backward.
Looking forward means looking ahead of a particular resource to see who has cited the piece since it was written. Knowing who else found your ideal article useful will likely point you in the direction of research similar to yours.
Looking backward means looking behind a particular resource to see who all is cited in the piece. Chances are, the resources that were used to put your ideal article together will also be helpful for you.
Most citation tracing can be done by hand, by reviewing reference lists or searching an author/article in databases like SciFinder or Web of Science. OneSearch and Google Scholar have some built-in citation tracing tools, but not for every result. In Google Scholar, look for the Cited By and Related Articles Links. In OneSearch, look for the arrow tree icons.
How can I narrow my results after typing in my keywords?
There's a lot you can do with keyword search strings to ensure your results are meeting your needs, but keywords can't do everything. Fortunately, discovery systems like OneSearch and Google Scholar (and almost all other academic databases) have built-in filters you can use to further limit your search. These are often used based on assignment specifications, instructor requirements, or topic context.
These are the most commonly used filters and limiters...
Creation Date
Peer-Reviewed [Journals]
Available Online
Resource Type
HOT TIP: Once you have your filters and limiters in place, click the Remember All Filters lockbox at the top of the menu. This will freeze your filters so they stay in place for all future keyword searches.
