A search strategy is an organized plan for gathering information. Developing a search strategy will help you locate appropriate information from a variety of sources.
Choose a topic that interests you and that isn't too broad or too narrow.
Too Broad | Too Narrow |
Topics that are too broad have hundreds of books and articles written about them. Example: Drug abuse |
Topics that are too narrow have nothing or only one or two articles written about them. Example: The effect of drug abuse on the athletic performance of 18-year-old hockey players in Argentina |
Keep in mind that your topic isn't set in stone. As you read background information and search for sources, you can use what you learn to better define and focus your topic.
Much of the content on this page is attributed to the "Developing a Topic" page of the General Library Research Tutorial research guide from the Benedictine University Library.