Creating Search Strategiesfor an argument paper

Library ResearchLibrary Research

STEP ONE:Describe your topic…

Fast food has negative Fast food has negative impact on American Healthimpact on American Health

STEP ONE:Research your topic…

How much fast How much fast food do food do

Americans eat?Americans eat?

What is its effect What is its effect on American on American

HealthHealth

Your personal viewpoint should beYour personal viewpoint should besupported by arguments,supported by arguments,

reason, proof, and evidence reason, proof, and evidence from scholarly, research & factual from scholarly, research & factual

information sources.information sources.

Careful:Careful: Opinions & Editorials Opinions & Editorials from newspapers & journals may from newspapers & journals may

not always be the best support for your side…not always be the best support for your side…

STEP TWO:Back up your argument…

Research the opposite side of your

viewpoint as well.

STEP Three:Be ready for the opposition…

• fast foodfast food• junk foodjunk food• convenience convenience foodfood

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

STEP THREE:EXPAND YOUR KEYWORDS

Convenience food

related term

wellnessUnited States

Junk foodrelated term

healthAmerica(n)

Americans

Fast foodkey concept

Keyword 3Keyword 2Keyword 1

Consider synonyms, variations, or related terms for your concepts.

related term

Convenience food

related term

wellnessUnited States

Junk foodrelated term

healthAmerica(n)

Americans

Fast foodkey concept

Keyword 3Keyword 2Keyword 1

Use these keywords when searching databases, search engines & the

catalog.

related term

COMBINE YOUR TERMS

Connect keywords with AND:

fast food AND Americans AND health

Connect related terms with OR

fast food AND (America OR United States) AND health

Plural vs. singular = different results

Watch for misspellings

Use truncation * eg.) America* returns>> America, American, Americans

Use quotes eg.) “low tolerance”

Returns>> exact term instead of searching for low and tolerance

individually

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

Let’s begin to search!