ENVS 307: Introduction to Fisheries Science (HC) Fall 2024

*Example*

Let's say your chosen scientist is studying the feeding behavior of bluefish, and you need to find some background information.

Step 1: Break up the research question into two or three main concepts. Ignore extraneous words.

• Concept #1: bluefish
• Concept #2: feeding 
• Concept #3: behavior

Step 2: Conduct an initial search with these words, and quickly scan the results. 

After some googling you learn that the scientific name for bluefish is Pomatomus saltatrix and also that they are piscivores--fish that eat other fish. 

Step 3: Using information from your initial search, add synonyms, acronyms, and variant spellings.

• Concept #1: bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix
• Concept #2: feeding, piscivorous
• Concept #3: behavior, habits

• Even if the search engine you are using doesn't require you to enter boolean operators, it is still using them behind the scenes. It will help you to know the logic behind your search.

• AND gives you results that include ALL of your concepts.
   
• OR gives you results that include ANY of your concepts.

​

• Essentially, you are searching:​

(bluefish OR Pomatomus saltatrix) AND (feeding OR piscivorous) AND

(behavior OR habits)