These search strategies can help you in any database you use.
Using the right keywords can affect how relevant your results are. Start with your main ideas, then add or revise using keywords as you encounter new ones.
Example research question: How does the use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, impact college students' academic performance and study habits?
Main ideas: AI, college students, academic performance, study habits
- Search with specific keywords (not questions or long phrases).
- Search 2-3 keywords at a time. Each keyword you add will reduce your results.
- Use quotation marks around words you want to search as a complete phrase ("artificial intelligence").
- Limiters: always use the Full Text limiter. Use the Peer Reviewed limiter if that is the kind of information you need. You can also adjust the date range to get the most current articles.
- Number of results: Strive for no more than 200 hundred results. If you have more than that, try revising your search. You want a list of results that is manageable so you can look through them all.
Types of Keywords
Keywords fall into three main categories: Broad, Narrow, and Related.
- Broad: More general categories (artificial intelligence)
- Narrow: A specific category (ChatGPT, generative artificial intelligence)
- Related: Synonyms or similar terms, or terms that are connected to your topic (academic achievement, learning attitudes, motivation, critical thinking)
Use the A to Z Databases tab on the left to access our full list of databases. Or, get started with the Academic Search Complete search box below. Academic Search Complete is a good database to start with because it contains articles (popular and scholarly) on a wide variety of topics.
