Example
How does melanin protect our skin from the sun?
Step 1: Break up this research question into two or three main concepts. Ignore extraneous words.
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.
(melanin OR melanogenesis OR melanocyte OR pigmentation) AND (sun OR ultraviolet OR uv) AND (protection OR shield)