PSYC 242: Cultural Psychology (HC) Fall 2017

• Information research is an iterative process, meaning a cycle rather than a straight line.
   
  • Brainstorm search words -->
  • Explore initial search results -->
  • Refine your research question, and add or remove search words based on your initial search -->
  • Conduct a more targeted search -->
  • Repeat! -->
    <--  <--  <--

Example

How is identity formation affected in transracially adopted children?

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

• Concept #1: transracial
• Concept #2: adoption
• Concept #3: identity

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: transracial, transracially (or just transracial*)
• Concept #2: adopted, adoption, adoptee (or just adopt*)
• Concept #3: identity, self-concept

• 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:​

(transracial) AND (adoption OR adopted OR adoptee) AND (identity OR self-concept)