Once you have identified your research questions generate a list of words that are related to your topic:
Use AND, OR, NOT to connect your phrases/keywords
to locate both morality AND norms
to locate either word discourse OR commentary
NOT will retrieve the first word, debate NOT argument
Keywords and phrases for violence: violence, bullying, peer pressure
Keywords and phrases for schools: school, high school, middle school, primary education
Keywords and phrases for video games: electronic games, electronic toys, video games, games
Sample keyword searches for a database:
violence and schools and electronic games
Now check to see if it is too specific, if it is, work toward a general focus. This will help you generate a list of keywords, or concepts related to your topic.
Keywords
travel, tourism, e-commerce, "mobile devices", smartphones, United States,vacations, digital travel, etc....
Use AND, OR, NOT to connect your phrases/keywords
to locate both smartphones AND travel
to locate either word U.S. OR United States
to locate (the first word) vacation NOT trip
* truncation symbol
travel* travels, travelers, traveling, traveled
In the research process, evaluating sources is vital.Consider the following questions in order to effectively evaluate and gain a more critical understanding of your sources.
Tips for Evaluating Sources
Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age, Fifth Edition, by Diana Hacker and Barbara Fister.
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/tips-for-evaluating-sources.htm
Here are a few databases to begin your research:
Here are a few databases to begin your research: