Business Analytics

Database providers continuously strive to streamline the research process, so it’s worth your time to check the databases' Help links to see if any changes have been made to the search functions.  Before you even begin searching a database, consider these steps for creating a list of relevant words and terms:

• Try to state your information need in a sentence, question, or phrase and identify the key terms:

                What impact does advertising have on children’s diets?

• Think of other words that could describe your topic.  General information from encyclopedias, for example, would be helpful.   Search the Library catalog for your topic and encyclopedias (i.e. ethics AND encyclopedias). You could also consult a thesaurus.

• Use Boolean operators* (AND, OR) to combine synonymous terms: