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WRPR 188: Epidemics and Society (HC)

Writing Program 188: Epidemics and Society (Anders) Fall 2021

Brainstorm Search Words

Example

What is the role of social media in vaccine hesitancy?

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

  • Concept #1: vaccine hesitancy
  • Concept #2: social media

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

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

  • Concept #1: vaccine hesitancy (or possibly combine vaccine with doubt, indecision, uncertainty, or mistrust)
  • Concept #2: social media, facebook, twitter

Understand Boolean Operators

  • 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:​

("vaccine hesitancy") AND ("social media" OR facebook OR twitter)