Main Page: EDUC925: Qualitative Methods: Search Tips

Research Tips

Translate your research topic into search terms.

1. Make a list of keywords/synonyms for each concept in your research topic. This step is crucial; if relevant terms are missing from a search strategy, you may miss finding key articles. As you begin to read abstracts and articles, start writing down terminology that is used in the article. For any concept, there are probably many ways to describe it.

retention OR attrition OR dropout OR persistence
incivility OR bullying OR violence OR verbal abuse
burnout OR stress OR fatigue OR job satisfaction
rotating shift OR shiftwork OR shift work OR shift workers

2. Controlled Vocabulary/Subject Terms

Are there controlled vocabulary terms for your topic? Many databases utilize a controlled vocabulary to index journal article citations. For example, the following table shows some possible terms that are related to designing curriculum for nursing students about geriatrics . The table includes terms for 2 main concepts: curriculum and geriatrics.

Where are these terms found? Look in the database record or click on the link within the database to search/view the entire list. The links names are listed in the table below.

Database	Controlled Vocabulary Terms	Controlled Vocabulary Terms	Database Link
Academic Search Elite	Aging; Old age; Gerontology; Older people; Older patients	Curriculum planning; Curricula (Courses of study); Curriculum enrichment	Subject Terms
CINAHL Complete	Aging; Aged; Geriatrics;	Curriculum development; Course Content; Teaching Methods	CINAHL Subject Headings
Education Research Complete	Geriatrics education; Gerontology; Aging	Curriculum planning; Teaching Methods	Thesaurus
ERIC	Older adults; Aging (Individuals);	Curriculum Design; Curriculum Development; Educational Strategies	Thesaurus
Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection	Aging; Older people; Elder care; Population aging; Geriatrics; Gerontology	Curriculum planning; Teaching Methods	Subjects
PubMed	Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Frail Elderly	Curriculum; Teaching	MeSH Database

3. Think broadly about your topic. This review article is about improving student outcomes in higher education. Is there a recent review article (e.g. literature review, systematic review) related to your topic?

4. Review bibliographies of articles you have located for additional sources.

5. Cited reference search: Who has cited your "perfect" article? Use Scopus or Google Scholar to find this information.

Note: There may be a large difference in "Cited by" numbers. This has to do with "quality control" in Scopus. In Google Scholar, the "Cited by" numbers will include items such as book chapters, dissertations/theses, conference papers, etc.