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50c. Mapping out a search strategy

50cMap out a search strategy.

A search strategy is a systematic plan for locating sources. To create a search strategy appropriate for your research question, it may help to consult a librarian and take a look at your library’s Web site, which will give you an overview of available resources.

Keep in mind that no single search strategy works for every topic. For some topics, it may be useful to search for information in popular newspapers, magazines, and Web sites. For others, the best sources might be found in scholarly journals and books. Still other topics might be enhanced by field research—interviews, surveys, or direct observation.

With the help of a librarian, each of the students whose research essays can be found in this handbook constructed a search strategy appropriate for his or her research question.

Anna Orlov (see her full paper in 57b). Anna Orlov’s topic, Internet surveillance in the workplace, was current and influenced by technological changes, so she relied heavily on recent sources, especially those online. To find information on her topic, Orlov decided to

search the Web to locate current news, government publications, and information from organizations that focus on the issues surrounding technology and privacy
check a library database for current research articles
use the library catalog to search for a recently published book mentioned on several Web sites

Luisa Mirano (see her full paper in 62b). Luisa Mirano’s topic, the limitations of medication for childhood obesity, is the subject of psychological studies as well as articles in newspapers and magazines aimed at the general public. Thinking that both scholarly and popular sources would be appropriate, Mirano decided to

search the Web to see what issues about childhood obesity might be interesting
refine her search to focus on medications reported in newspaper and magazine articles, advocacy Web sites, and government sites
search specialized databases related to psychology and medicine for recent scholarly and scientific articles
track down an article that several of her sources cited as an influential study

Ned Bishop (see pages from his paper in 63f). Ned Bishop’s topic, Nathan Bedford Forrest’s role in the Fort Pillow massacre during the Civil War, has been investigated and debated by historians. Given the nature of his historical topic, Bishop consulted a reference librarian and decided to

locate books through the library’s online catalog
locate scholarly articles by searching a database specializing in history sources
locate newspaper articles from 1864 by searching a historical newspaper database
use the Web to track down additional primary documents mentioned in his sources

See 52a for more on assessing how different sources might contribute to your paper.

note for distance learners: Even if you are unable to visit the library, as an enrolled student you can still use its resources. Most libraries offer chat reference services and access to online databases, though you may have to follow special procedures to use them. Check your library’s Web site for information.

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Researched writing > As you write: Mapping out a search strategy