1. How to Effectively Develop a Search Phrase
Search Phrases
How to Effectively Develop a Search Phrase
SearchPhrases.pptx

2. What is a Search Phrase? Keywords used to search a database
Allows a person to search for documents that contain those keywords
Examples of keywords range from an author’s name, to
dates, and to any term that directly relates to your topic

3. Vague vs. Specific
When creating a search phrase avoid being vague by not including general or ambiguous words (i.e. interesting, important, unusual) Example of a vague search: “Issues with drug use in society”

4. Example: “Issues with drug use in society”
Why is this example too vague? 1. What is included in the category “drugs”? (are they referring to illegal drugs, recreational drugs, or medication) 2. What does “issues” refer to? (are they referring to health issues, mental issues, death, violence, etc…) 3. What is meant by “society” ? (are they referring to the global population, North America, children, adults, etc…)

5. The original search phrase is problematic because:
Vague vs. Specific
The original search phrase is problematic because:
There are too many questions that the phrase leaves open.
The author could not discuss all of the topics listed above in a three page essay.
The generality of the search phrase will pull up an overwhelming amount of information that will take far too long to search through .

6. Wordiness vs. Accuracy
The words you enter should specifically relate to what you are searching for.
Search engines will often ignore common words like what, where, I, for, a, therefore try to eliminate them from your search phrase.
Avoid incorporating redundant or unnecessary words in your search phrase. For example: articles on, information about, discussions about, documentation on.

7. Wordiness vs. Accuracy
Be as concise and to the point as possible as it is always more effective to use precise terms instead of ambiguous words.
Be brief! Use only a few keywords.
Including specific information will help to return relevant results.
If you are unsure how to specify what you’re seeking, ask yourself:
“who?”, “what?”, “where?”, “when?”, “why?”, or “how?”

8. Example:
Vague idea: Transportation What?: Trains When?: Before 1950 Where?: North America Who?: Passengers How?: Steam locomotives Why?: To understand popular passenger transportation in the early 1900s

9. Example
Possible narrowed search phrases: 1. North American Steam Locomotives North American Passenger Train Travel Before 1950

10. “Issues with drug use in society”
Example
Returning to the previous example of:
“Issues with drug use in society”
How can we refine this idea into an effective search phrase?
If you are unsure, remember to ask:
“who?”, “what?”, “where?”, “when?”, “why?”, or “how?”

11. Possible Search Phrases
Give me some suggestions.
How caffeine effects work ethic
Health effects of illegal drug use in inner cities
Illegal drug use and gang violence in Toronto
Health benefits of drinking red wine

12. Exercise
In groups, think of three possible effective search phrases for the following vague statements:
Young people are too influenced by the media.
Exercise is great.
Global warming is a problem for society.
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