| Search Experience and Search Tools: |
Boolean Connectors:
bilingual education AND teaching methods
biligual education OR bilingualism AND teaching methods OR instruction OR teaching
Quotation Marks: Useful in Google Scholar, for keeping phrases together
“immersion programs” immersion programs AND "los angeles"
Truncation *:
Teach* = teach, teacher, teachers, teaching, teachable
Thesaurus : Many database will have a “thesaurus” or “subject terms” tool for looking up descriptors and subject headings used by the database. The thesaurus tool is also helpful in browsing related terms.
Limiters:
PsycINFO’s Methodology limiter for “empirical studies”
ERIC’s Publication Type limiter for empirical studies is listed as “Reports-Research”
Date range; Peer-reviewed and Academic Journals limiters; Subject area limiter
Subject Headings/Descriptors: A recommended strategy is to start your search with a broad keyword search. This type of search will yield a wider variety and amount of results. You can then browse and evaluate the results to determine:
· Evaluate the article for use: Two-thumbs up articles; Somewhat useful ; Not useful at all.
· Note related subject headings/descriptors to use for your next round of research.
· Brainstorm new angles for your research .
· Identify gaps in your research.
· Ask questions about your research variables.
