Keep the concepts that carry meaning.
Look for the topic, population, outcome, place, policy, event, or issue at the center of the question.
Seminar Central
Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Adams
Research
Search with purpose. Turn your research question into flexible search terms, explore multiple source types, and follow the evidence wherever it leads.
They search for specific information, evidence, and perspectives. A thoughtful search plan helps you move beyond the first page of results and find material that genuinely advances your inquiry.
Step 1 · Build Search Terms
Search engines and databases match words, not your full line of reasoning. Pull out the ideas that carry meaning, then create several ways researchers might name each one.
Find the two or three essential ideas.
Add synonyms and academic vocabulary.
Mix one term from each concept.
Borrow useful language from results.
Look for the topic, population, outcome, place, policy, event, or issue at the center of the question.
Words such as how, why, effect, impact, influence, and to what extent rarely need to become search terms.
Put It All Together
After working through all four steps,
use a concept map to plan several searches and begin testing what works.
Try It Yourself
Enter your question, name its central concepts, and add language that researchers might use. Then generate several searches to test.
Try several combinations. Search results will teach you which language works best.
Step 2 · Search Strategically
Your first search is an experiment. Use what you learn from the results to improve the next one.
Databases and Google do not always interpret a search in the same way. Build a search deliberately, then use the tools provided by the place you are searching.
ANDNarrowRequires both concepts: adolescents AND anxietyORBroadenAccepts related terms: adolescents OR teenagersNOTExclude carefullyRemoves an unwanted meaning: jaguar NOT car( )Group synonyms(adolescents OR teenagers) AND anxiety" "Keep a phraseSearches words together: "social media"*Find word endingseducat* may find educate, education, and educationalsite:.govGovernment sitessite:.eduUniversity sitesfiletype:pdfReports and documents-termExclude a termDig deeper with MIT Libraries. Symbols, field names, and proximity commands can vary by database, so check the database’s own help screen.
Open MIT Database Search Tips →Do not abandon the question, revise the search.
Add a population, location, date range, or exact phrase.
Remove one concept or replace a narrow term with a broader synonym.
Add a stakeholder, lens, opposing term, or geographic context.
Borrow academic vocabulary from a strong article’s title, abstract, or subject terms.
Step 3 · Choose Source Types
A balanced investigation uses different kinds of sources because each one contributes something different.
Use for scholarly studies, theories, expert analysis, and peer-reviewed research.
Use for current events, public discussion, interviews, and emerging developments.
Use for policies, public reports, official guidance, and large-scale research.
Use for deep background, disciplinary context, and established arguments.
Use for measurable patterns, comparisons, trends, and quantitative evidence.
Use for cultural evidence, artistic perspectives, and analysis of literary works.
One useful source can lead to many more. Check its reference list, “cited by” links, related articles, author, organization, and subject terms instead of beginning every search from scratch.
Step 4 · Start Searching
Choose a starting place based on the type of information you need. A database provides access, not a guarantee that every result belongs in your research.
Next, determine whether each source is credible, relevant, and useful for your specific inquiry.
Pay attention to the language used in strong sources. A useful title, abstract, or reference list can give you better search terms, and lead you to the next source.