Research @ the Library: Introduction to Research

Search Log
Use the example search process on the right to help you work through your own topic using the left side. Keep in mind searching
is not an exact science – it's an art form and there are no right or wrong answers.

Your Topic: Example topic: What effects does drug abuse have on teens?

Key words:
 teens
Key words (single word or 2 word phrases drawn from topic):  "drug abuse"
_________________________
_________________________ Synonyms:
_________________________ Check?: thesauri dictionaries encyclopedias

Synonyms?: ___________________  teenagers

___________________  adolescents
___________________  "substance abuse"

Check?: □ thesauri □ dictionaries □ encyclopedias

Example searches:
 "drug abuse" and teenagers

Your search (connect key words using AND & OR):  "drug abuse" and (teenagers or adolescents)

_________________________________________  ("drug abuse" or "substance abuse") and adolescents

Information needs?: see "Information Needs Checklist"

Information needs: in U.S., last 10 years, peer-reviewed
Subject Guide(s): _______________ _______________
Subject Guide(s): Health and Biology, Behavioral Sciences
Research database(s): _____________ ____________
Relevant research database(s): Academic Search Premier,
SocINDEX, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, Sage Journals

Center for Learning and Technology 10/23/08

Empire State College -1- State University of New York