Search Strategy

April 12, 2023 Wilfred Drew, Associate Librarian, SUNY Morrisville

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GNED104 -- Library Research Methods

Introduction to Doing Research and Creating a

Search Strategy


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Research and Search Strategy

1. Select a Topic

2. Write Thesis Statement

3. Lookup topic in encyclopedia

4. Create list of key words

5. Find Magazines , Newspapers

6. Find Books

7. Find Web pages


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Research and Search Strategy

8. Document Your Sources (Bibliography).

9. Evaluation of your resources.

10. Refine the Topic if necessary.

11. Repeat Steps 2-10 as needed.


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1. Select a Topic

Should be something that interests you. Librarians will not pick a topic for you. Ask your instructor for help. Example: Acid Rain.Example: Acid Rain.


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2. Write a thesis statement.

Thesis: a statement or proposition put forward and supported by proof or argument.

Complete sentence describing your research topic.

Example:Example: Acid rain is damaging lakes Acid rain is damaging lakes in the Adirondacks.in the Adirondacks.


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3. Look up Topic in an Encyclopedia.

Funk & Wagnall’s Online Example:Example: Look under acid rain.Look under acid rain. Print out or photocopy the articles.


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4. Create List of Key Words.

Key words are words related to your topic.

You will find many of them in the encyclopedia articles.

Example: acid rain.Example: acid rain.


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5. Find Magazines and Newspapers.

Search online and paper based indexes and databases.

Use full text online to make it easier for yourself.

Expanded Academic Index Use key words from your list.


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6. Find Books.

Search library online catalog. Use key words or phrases. Morris the Online CATalog Example: Keyword Search for acid rain Example: Keyword Search for acid rain

works best.works best.


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7. Find Web Pages.

Search Internet Search Engines Look for Links to other pages or sites. Example: Example:

http://www.epa.gov/airmarkt/acidrain/effhttp://www.epa.gov/airmarkt/acidrain/effects/surfacewater.htmlects/surfacewater.html


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8a. Document Your Sources (Bibliography).

Use MLA format (blue handout). Example: for WebpageExample: for Webpage

Unites States Unites States Environmental Environmental Protection Agency. “Effects of Acid Rain: Protection Agency. “Effects of Acid Rain: Lakes & Streams”. Lakes & Streams”. U.S. Environmental U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyProtection Agency. 2003. U.S. Environmental . 2003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 29 Sept. 2004. Protection Agency. 29 Sept. 2004. <<http://www.epa.gov/airmarkt/acidrain/effects/surfacewater.html>.


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8b. Document Your Sources (Bibliography).

Use MLA format (blue handout). Example: for BookExample: for Book

Regens, James L. and Robert W. RycroftRegens, James L. and Robert W. Rycroft The acid rain controversy. Pittsburgh, The acid rain controversy. Pittsburgh,

Pa. : University of Pittsburgh Press, 1988.Pa. : University of Pittsburgh Press, 1988.


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8c. Document Your Sources (Bibliography).

Use MLA format (blue handout). Example: for Magazine or NewspaperExample: for Magazine or Newspaper

Melewski,Melewski, Bernard C. “Bernard C. “AAcid rain and cid rain and the Adirondacks: a legislative history.” the Adirondacks: a legislative history.” Albany Albany Law Review.Law Review. 66 (2002):171-206 66 (2002):171-206


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9.Evaluation of Your Sources.

Authority/Credibility Content


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9a. Evaluation of Your Sources.

Authority/Credibility 1. Is author's name included?

2. What is the expertise of the author? 3. What is the author's opinion is? Is it backed

up with facts (statistics, historical data, etc.)?

4. Who publishes the item? Is there hidden "agenda," or a cause, or is it just a business?

5. is it reliable source? Why?


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9b. Evaluation of Your Sources.

Content1. When was item written?

2. Is the content meaningful and useful? Why ?

3. Is there evidence of any bias, either by the author or the publisher?

4. Is it objective or subjective (facts, or opinion/creative)?

5. is the information accurate? Why?

6. Is it primary source material?


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10. Refine the Topic If Necessary.

Not enough information? Broaden the topic.

Too much information? Narrow the topic.


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11. Repeat Steps 2-10 as needed.

You will need to go through the steps more than once usually.

Keep all of your materials together in a folder or notebook.

Take lots of notes. Keep the bibliography up to date!!

Documents

Search Strategy