BIOL 338: Learning and Memory (BMC) Spring 2025

Example

How does manipulation of the hippocampus create false memories?

Step 1: Break up this research question into its main concepts. Ignore extraneous words.

• Concept #1: manipulation
• Concept #2: hippocampus
• Concept #3: false memories

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

• Concept #1: manipulation, engineering
• Concept #2: hippocampus
• Concept #3: false memories, false recall

• 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.
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• Essentially, you are searching:​

(manipulation OR engineering) AND (hippocampus) AND (false memories OR false recall)