How to Find Articles on Your Topic

The steps below include tips and suggestions for finding articles on your topic.For off campus access, when prompted, sign in with your ORU network login or Single Sign-On (SSO).

SEARCH

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Step 1: Choose a database. Start your research using a discovery tool like EagleSearch. You can also try a multidisciplinary database, such as Academic Search Complete, or choose a subject-specific databases like ATLA Religion for discipline-related topics.

Step 2: Key in your terms and search. Start with a simple keyword search, then add more terms to describe your concept(s), topic, or subject. Use keywords from your thesis statement to guide your search.
Examples:

  • concept 1 AND concept 2
  • climate change AND renewable energy
  • renewable energy AND "carbon emissions"
  • climate change AND renewable AND impact*
  • concealed AND handgun AND "Second Amendment"
  • concealed AND handgun AND debat*

Note: The asterisk (*) is a truncation symbol to search for variations of a word (e.g., impacts, impacting, impacted and debate, debating, debates.

Depending on your assignment, an effective search may include some of the following descriptive or related terms. Combine these with Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and use truncation (*) to broaden or narrow your search results.

  • Arguments and Debates
    • argu* (searches argue, argues, argued, argument, etc.)
    • debate, debates
    • controvers* (y, -ial, -ies)
    • “pros and cons”
    • positive; negative
  • Relationships and Comparisons
    • association
    • compar* (-e, -ed, -s, -ison, -ing, -able)
    • contrast
    • purpose
  • Effects and Outcomes
    • effect* (-s, -ed, -ive)
    • impact*
    • influence*
    • outcome*
    • failure
  • Issues and Concerns
    • concern*
    • issue, issues
    • problem
    • advantage; benefit

EVALUATE

What are the assignment requirements?

Step 3: Evaluate results -- sort and set limiters.

  • Sort the search result list by date for the most recent articles to appear at the top of the list. Relevance is usually the default display, which may give you more full text articles at the top of the list.
  • Set limiters; set restrictions (date, peer reviewed, language, etc.)
  • Use subject headings and subject options.

Step 4: Evaluate articles -- read, review and save.

  • Click the article title to view the detailed record.
  • Read the abstract (a summary of the article), if available, to
    1) see if the content is relevant to your topic,
    2) look for additional key terms to search, and
    3) identify ways to narrow your topic.
  • Review the article bibliography for additional relevant resource. If you identify an article of interest, go to the A-to-Z Journals List, search for the journal title, and then follow the links to go to the issue date that you need.
  • Save articles to your EBSCOhost folder for later use and creating citations.

Step 5: Evaluate your search -- tweak and improve.

  • Edit your search to include other key concepts from your thesis. To view examples, click the Sample Searches tab at the top of the page.
  • In EBSCO, click the Choose Databases link at the top and select and search other databases.

APPLY

Step 6: Read the full text.

  • Click HTML, PDF, Linked Full text or similar link.

Note: If an article is not available in full text, the Interlibrary Loan service can get an item (for a small fee), but that is usually not necessary for the Comp-102, Comp-102H, or HONR-101 research assignment.

Step 7: Cite your sources.

  • Look for citation tools that allow you to copy, paste and then edit the citation in MLA format. Always check the print style manual for accuracy.

Refine & Review: Key Questions to Ask

What are your assignment requirements?

  • Do you need peer-reviewed or scholarly sources?
  • Are there date restrictions or required publication types (e.g., books, journal articles)?
  • How many sources do you need?

Are your search results relevant to your topic and well-focused?

  • Do the articles address your research question?
  • Are you finding too many irrelevant results or too few useful ones?
  • Have you searched multiple databases, especially subject-specific ones?
  • Have you used the library catalog for books or EagleSearch to expand your results?

Have you refined your results effectively?

  • Have you sorted your results by date to see the most recent research?
  • Have you used the relevance sort to prioritize more on-topic or full-text results?
  • Have you applied useful filters or limiters, such as date range, peer-reviewed, language, and publication type

Are you using the best keywords and search terms?

  • Have you tried synonyms, related terms, and broader/narrower concepts?
  • Are you using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your search?

Are you reviewing sources carefully before selecting them?

  • Have you read the abstract to check if the content is relevant and credible?
  • Does the opening paragraph include a clear thesis or research purpose?
  • Is the article well-organized and easy to follow?
  • Does the article include citations or references to support its claims?
  • Are there useful keywords or subject headings in the abstract or record?
  • Have you checked the article’s bibliography for additional sources?

LIBBI Article - Check Your Knowledge

Analyze and Evaluate

Are the following articles scholarly? timely? Is the website or author authoritative? Is the article based on research, opinion, or a bias?
Can you identify three advantages of comparing information from different sources (and/or using Library databases)?