Starting research
Research writing begins with a good question. From there, a smart search strategy saves hours and leads to better sources.
From topic to research question
A research question turns a broad topic into a focused inquiry. 'Social media' is a topic; 'How does TikTok's recommendation algorithm affect what news teenagers see?' is a research question. Good questions are open-ended (not answerable with yes or no or a single fact), focused, researchable with available sources, and significant.
Preliminary research
Early background reading, in encyclopedias, textbooks, or reputable overviews, helps you learn key terms, major debates, and important names. Wikipedia can be useful for orientation and its references can lead to sources, but most instructors expect you to cite more authoritative sources directly.
Keywords and search terms
Effective searches use precise keywords and synonyms. For 'teen sleep and phones', also try 'adolescents', 'screen time', 'smartphone use', 'sleep quality'. Note the terms used in good sources you find, since scholars in a field often use specialised vocabulary.
Boolean operators
Databases support Boolean operators: AND narrows (sleep AND smartphones), OR broadens (teenagers OR adolescents), and NOT excludes (apple NOT fruit). Quotation marks search for exact phrases ("screen time"), and an asterisk can find word variants (adolesc* finds adolescent, adolescence).
Library databases
Academic libraries subscribe to databases of scholarly articles, such as JSTOR, Academic Search Complete, PubMed for medicine, PsycINFO for psychology, and ERIC for education. These provide peer-reviewed research often not freely available online, and filters for date, subject, and peer review.
Google Scholar and open access
Google Scholar searches scholarly literature across disciplines and shows how often works are cited, helping you find influential studies. Many articles are now open access. If an article is behind a paywall, check whether your library provides access or can obtain it through interlibrary loan.
Managing research
Keep track of sources from the start: record full citation details, page numbers for quotations, and notes on key ideas. Reference managers such as Zotero (free) can store sources and generate citations. Good notes distinguish your own ideas from paraphrases and quotations, preventing accidental plagiarism.
Worked example
A student researching remote work starts with 'Is remote work good?', too broad and yes/no. After background reading, she narrows to 'How has remote work since 2020 affected career advancement for early-career employees?' She searches a business database for ("remote work" OR telework) AND (promotion OR "career advancement") AND ("early career" OR junior), filtering to 2020 onward.
Key takeaways
A focused, open-ended research question guides research. Background reading builds vocabulary and orientation. Use precise keywords and synonyms. Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), quotation marks, and truncation refine searches. Library databases give access to peer-reviewed work; Google Scholar shows influential studies. Track sources and notes carefully from the start.
Flashcard
Focused, open-ended inquiry
Check your understanding
Which search would return the most results?