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image, Citation Styles Guide  

In order to begin your assignment you need to be able to find useful and relevant information. Developing an effective search is an important part of this process. This page provides guidelines on getting started.

 

Define

your need  

 Arrow

Determine the resource

Arrow Search Arrow

Evaluate the information

 

Define your Topic


State your topic as a question

This is a good way to start your search. It helps you clarify your thoughts and define the topic Eg. Obesity and Depression

Examples of Search Questions:

How does obesity affect mental health?
Are obese teenagers depressed?
What are the connections between obesity and depression among teenagers?

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Identify the main concepts or keywords


Once you have your search question, identify the main concepts or keywords in the question. Do this by picking out the main terms - or subjects - used in your questions

Draw up a list of synonyms or related terms. This will provide you with extra terms to use when searching for information. It may also suggests ways to broaden or narrow your topic

Example 1

What are the connections between obesity and depression among teenagers?

Main Concepts:

Term 1
AND
Term 2
AND
Term 3
Obesity
Depression
Teenagers
OR
OR
OR
Body mass index (BMI)
Mental Health
Teens
OR
OR
OR
Overweight
Mood
Adolescents
OR
OR
Excess body fat
Youth

 

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Broaden or narrow your topic


Narrow your topic:

Finding too much information may mean that you have to narrow your topic.

Teenagers > Irish teenagers > Female Irish Teenagers

Reword your topic with more specific terms:

Example 2

How does body image affect teenagers?
↓
How does body image influence the lives of Irish teenagers?

 

Example 3

What are the statistics of eating disorders among teenagers?
↓
What are the statistics of eating disorders and Irish teenagers?
↓
What are the statistics of eating disorders and Female Irish teenagers?


Hint: Once you reformulate your question you need to re-do some steps, eg. picking out keywords, synonyms etc…

Broaden your topic

If your topic is too narrow you may not find the information you need. Try broadening it.

Dublin Teenagers > Irish teenagers > Teenagers

 

Example 4

What are the connections between obesity and depression among teenagers in Galway
↓
What are the connections between obesity and depression among Irish teenagers
↓
What are the connections between obesity and depression among teenagers


Hint: Once you reformulate your question you need to re-do some steps, eg. picking out keywords, synonyms etc…

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Useful Links


The following link takes you to a page on developing your Research Question. There is a useful quiz that tests you on whether research questions are too narrow or too broad.

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quick link links