Search:

Answering questions about the 5W's can help you better conceptualize your research question, as well as help you tease out helpful terms and phrases that you can use to search for information.

Your Topic/Idea for research Paper:
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Step 1: Focus Your Topic

Questions to Consider:

Who?

Who are the people that you will be studying?
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What?

What event(s) are you studying?
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Where?

Where do these events occur?
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When?

At what point in time do these events occur?
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Date of research studies, reports, etc. you wish to find?
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Why?

Why is this happening? Why is it important to look at this research topic?
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DO YOU NOW NEED TO RESTATE YOUR TOPIC?
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Step 2: Create A Research Strategy

Next, you will pull out the most important terms or elements of your research question. using these concepts or ideas, you will create a search strategy that will best enable you to find information on your topic.List the important terms or concepts
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List any synonyms for the terms above
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Combine your terms using:

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact
Library Assistant, Information Services and Resources
Last Updated: June 13, 2005