Searching Effectively
Basic Search Tips
Unlike Google, library databases can't understand an entire sentence. So you'll need to break your topic down into the most important ideas - the KEYWORDS.
Example Topic: How do corporate sustainability efforts affect current and future investor decisions?
The specifics of your topic will matter when selecting sources, but for searching you only need the most essential components.
Keywords: corporations, sustainability, investors
How do corporate sustainability efforts affect current and future investor decisions?
Most words have synonyms that mean the same, or very similar, things. For each keyword in your topic, try to come up with at least one synonym. Not all keywords will have synonyms, but many do!
Example:
Keep an eye out:
Sometimes scholars use terms that you might not be familiar with, or which might mean something very specific within the discipline. While searching, look for unfamiliar terms or words that show up a lot. Try searching for those and see if you find more relevant sources.
Most library databases have search tools built in. Try some of these:
- Subject: Think of subjects as official hashtags. Use them to find sources about that subject.
- Date Range: Limit your search to sources published between specific years.
- Peer Reviewed: Limit your search to scholarly journal articles.
- Full Text: Make sure all of the results are available to read in full.
Look on the left and right of your search results, or for an "advanced search" page to find these tools - and more!
It is critical to evaluate your sources for assignments.
Your professors expect you to use information that is of high quality and comes from authoritative sources.
Use the criteria below to help you evaluate the information you find to determine if it is appropriate for your research.
Authority: The source of the information.
- Who is the author or organization creating the content?
- What are the author's credentials or qualifications?
- Is the author qualified to write on the topic, an expert?
- Is there contact information?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com (commercial) .edu (education) .gov (government) .org (organization) .net (network)
Accuracy: High quality information can be verified. Ask yourself:
- Where does the information come from?
- Is the information supported by evidence, can it be confirmed?
- Are there references or a list of works cited, where does their data come from?
- Does the language or tone seem unbiased?
Currency: The timeliness of the information.
- How recent is the information?
- Is it current enough for your research?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
Relevance: The importance of the information for your research topic.
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
- Have you looked at a variety of sources before using this one?
- Does it meet the source requirements from your professor? Scholarly, peer reviewed, primary?
Purpose: The reason the information exists.
- What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
- Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
The CRAAP evaluation criteria were originally developed at Meriam Library at CSU Chico.
Advanced Search Tips