Effective information searches are usually a group of searches. No keyword search combination is the "correct" one; all relevant key word search combinations can contribute to your project. Be flexible and creative. Add to your list of keywords as you explore several databases and search tools.
EXAMPLE:
Topic: Early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders
Beginning searches: autism spectrum early intervention and children
More Specific: early intervention and autism spectrum and children early intervention and autism and effectiveness autism spectrum and preschoolers
Broader: autism special education learning disabilities
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:
Topic: Polar Vortex: How often has the US Midwest experienced such cold temperatures related to the Polar Vortex?
Beginning searches: polar vortex AND Midwest
More Specific: polar vortex AND Ohio; polar vortex AND history AND United States; Northern Hemisphere Stratospheric Polar Vortex AND Midwest [term obtained from a previous search]; tropospheric circulation AND United States and history; arctic polar vortex AND Midwest
Broader: meteorology; winds AND weather; freezing air AND North Pole; freezing air AND Northern Hemisphere
YOUR TURN:
For any class project that requires information gathering, begin to grow your search term list. Apply your list to a variety of library catalogs, article/resource databases, and other search tools.
My Topic: _______________________________________________
Beginning search terms for my topic: ______________________________________________________________
Other more specific keywords, phrases, and word combinations: ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Broader ways to search my topic: relevant fields, keywords, phrases, and word combinations: _________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
[Advanced Tips] HOW TO SELECT - FOCUS - STATE YOUR PROJECT TOPIC: 
Tip: A bit of time spent shaping/narrowing your topic will pay big dividends. You will work with a more manageable and appealing topic in a clear research path. Your focused topic will have more appeal to your readers.
What to do? Please download the .pdf document and save/read or print/read for understanding.
