How to Get Started on Your Research

Welcome!

This tutorial will guide you through getting started on library research.

You'll practice:

• Using the Library Search tool
• Choosing keywords
• Refining your search to get more relevant results

Navigation

Use the arrows to move forward and backward through the tutorial. 

Click on an underlined word or phrase for a definition or more information.

What is Library Search?

Library Search allows you to search most of the library's collections in one place.  You can use Library Search to find:

• Books, DVDs, and CDs
• E-books and streaming video
• Journal articles
• And more!

What is Library Search?

Library Search pulls together everything it can find that meets your search criteria, which makes it a great place to start your research.

For more information about what Library Search is and how it works, check out the Library Search Research Guide.

Using Library Search

Let's say that you're researching the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment for anxiety in adolescents.

To begin, find the Library Search bar on the main page of the library website.

Pre-Search: Brainstorming Keywords

You'll have more success if you take some time to think about the best keywords to search for your topic before you start your search.

Library Search works best if you break your topic down into key concepts.

Pre-Search: Brainstorming Keywords

Once you've chosen your key concepts, you can search for articles that relate to all of them by using the word "and."

For example, searching "yoga and anxiety and adolescents" will give you articles that deal with all three of these concepts.

By using "and," you don't have to sort through thousands of results that touch upon 1 or 2 of your 3 concepts.

Pre-Search: Brainstorming Keywords

Let's give it a try.

In the left menu under Research Tools, click "General Search."

In the new search bar, type: "yoga and anxiety and adolescents."

Narrowing the Results

Next, you can use the filters directly underneath the Library Search bar to narrow the results to exactly what you're looking for.

Narrowing the Results

Let's say that you want to find peer reviewed articles for your research assignment.

Underneath the Library Search bar, click on the button that says Peer Reviewed.  The page will automatically refresh, removing all of the resources that are not published in peer-reviewed journals.

Narrowing the Results

Let's also say that you're interested in very recent research, published within the last 5 years.

The Date Range button shows you the range of publication dates represented in this search, from newest to oldest.

Click the Date Range button (it will be set to "All Time"). Using the drop-down menu, select "Past 5 Years."  Again, the page will automatically refresh to apply your filter.

Tip: The "All Filters" button underneath the Library Search bar allows you to narrow down your results even further. This can be useful when researching a niche topic.

Evaluating and Re-Searching

Once you've applied all of the filters you want, take a look at the first page of your search results.

How many results do you have?

Do the titles sound relevant to your topic?

These questions will help you evaluate how your search is going and strategize how to move forward.

The next few pages will introduce a few obstacles that you might encounter as you start to search.  Before you give up, try one of these strategies for overcoming common search stumpers.

Common Search Stumpers

If you still have too many search results, you'll need to keep narrowing. 

Do you see a lot of results that have nothing to do with your topic? 

You might be missing an important keyword or filter that will remove these results from your list. 

Common Search Stumpers

Too many search results that aren't relevant (continued)

Think about what's missing from the irrelevant search results.

Brainstorm keywords that might help you zero in on the exact topic you had in mind. Try adding these keywords to your search and see what happens. 

Don't be afraid to experiment with your searches!  If you don't like the results, try using Advanced Search, located directly underneath the Library Search bar. Advanced Search allows you to filter by many different keyword combinations.

Common Search Stumpers

Too many search results that all seem relevant

If all of the results seem relevant, but there are just too many to read, your topic might be a little too broad.

Skim through some of the results and look for narrower concepts that interest you.

Going back to the yoga example, maybe you're most interested in the effects of mindfulness on adolescent anxiety. 

Click on Advanced Search, located underneath the Library Search bar. Try adding mindfulness to the search and see what happens!

Common Search Stumpers

Not enough search results

If you don't see enough results that are relevant to your topic, your topic might be a little too narrow.

Try removing one of your search terms or filters and see if that gives you more results.

Still Can't Find What You Need?

You can chat, email, call, or meet with a librarian in person.

Visit the library website to learn how you can connect with a librarian now.

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