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First-Year Bridge English

Getting Started - Search Strategy

  • Create a keyword bank or map of keywords - below is a video on "mind-mapping" - which is one strategy to organize your thoughts 
  • Use the keywords you created to start building search strings with boolean operators 
  • Determine where you want to search - think about the various perspectives within your topic

Organize What You Know-Mind Mapping

Narrowing in Research Focus

Great! You have an research focus but it is too broad. How do you narrow in or find a more specific aspect to research?

Think about:

  • What snagged your attention in the first place?
  • What made you go, "oh that's interesting, I want to know more"
  • Ask yourself "what else do I want to know about?" 

Follow your curiosity. 

How to Find a Research Focus in Library Databases

CQ Researcher - in the top navigation bar are two drop down menus that will help you quickly explore research pathways

  • Browse Topics - general research areas and can narrow in further on subtopics within that area
  • Browse Reports --> Issue Tracker - provides list of various issues covered by database to review 

Gale - Opposing Viewpoints - has one large list of topics to explore 

  • "Browse Issues" with a lightbulb icon on the right side underneath the picture banner