Search Hacks
A quick guide for getting the most out of library search tools and academic databases
Ask a Research Question
Determine What Information You Need: What is Your Research Question?
Think of all the questions you might ask to understand your subject. Consider questions that require you to think critically about the topic, or about a specific element or certain angle on your topic. Try filling in this prompt:
I'm studying __________ to investigate __________ in order to understand __________.
Build a Better Research Question
Ask yourself the 5WH questions about your topic. Our favorites:
- HOW?
- WHY?
- WHAT?
Combine a HOW, a WHY and a WHAT to create one big research question!