Ah, researching a topic. Sounds like so much fun, yes? But when you look at the many options of resources and searches, it's a dizzying array of choices. Fear not.
- Develop an idea.
- Carefully read your assignment; look for subject parameters or specific methodologies to include or avoid.
- The idea can be a question or just an exploration of a topic.
- Formulate words to describe that idea or topic.
- Complete sentences are one way to express an idea or topic exploration; however, pull out descriptive words to construct a search.
- For example, if you want to explore non-verbal rehearsal techniques of high school music directors, you may want to choose the least common words for your search.
- Think of any synonyms for these words/terms.
- Think of broader and narrower terms.
- Often, less is more when formulating a search strategy.
- Databases such as PsycInfo, Music Index, RILM, and others use specific terminology to describe a concept.
- How do you identify this specific terminology?
- What subdivisions might exist -- time periods, countries, etc to further refine or narrow that concept?
