Get Started - English 1: Expository Writing - Croteau - Research Guides at Tufts University

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Research Paper Navigator

Research Paper Navigator

Use for help with

time management
library research
writing your paper
citing sources

Also has subject guides with suggested databases.

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Select a Research Topic

Use the following sources to brainstorm for project topics (they should not be used for the items listed on your works cited page of your research assignment).

CQ Researcher
Find in-depth background information on controversial and current issues. Browse Recent Reports or By Topic to generate topic ideas. Reports written by Congressional Quarterly staff writers.
Issues & Controversies
Full-text essays giving multiple perspectives on controversial issues. Use the Need a Research Topic menu on bottom right of page to explroe topics. Written by Facts on File staff writers.

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Find Background Information

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries online

Britannica Online
Search encyclopedia articles, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, and various sources on historical and current global events.
Oxford Reference Online
Search multiple dictionaries and encyclopedias.
CREDO Reference
Search multiple dictionaries and encyclopedias.

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Keyword Searching

Keyword Search Rules for the Library Catalog and Databases

Using AND/OR/NOT (Boolean Search Operators)
AND	Use AND to focus search and combine different aspects of your topic. Example: vegetarianism AND environment
OR	Use OR to expand your search and find synonyms/related terms. Example: global warming OR climate change
NOT	Use NOT to exclude a word or phrase from your search Example: emissions trading NOT United States

Using AND/OR/NOT (Boolean Search Operators)

AND

Use AND to focus search and combine different aspects of your topic.

Example: vegetarianism AND environment

Use OR to expand your search and find synonyms/related terms.

Example: global warming OR climate change

NOT

Use NOT to exclude a word or phrase from your search

Example: emissions trading NOT United States

Additional Search Tips
"Phrase search" - Use quotation marks" " to search for a particular phrase. Example:"greenhouse gas emissions"
Truncation * - Use an asterisk to find variations of a word. Put an asterisk following the root of the word to find all variations of that word, including singular and plural. Example:environment* (finds environments, environmental, environmentalist, etc.)
(Grouping/Nesting Keywords) - Use parentheses ( ) as a way to group all your search terms together. Example:(climate change or global warming) and population growth

Additional Search Tips

"Phrase search" - Use quotation marks" " to search for a particular phrase.

Example:"greenhouse gas emissions"

Truncation * - Use an asterisk to find variations of a word. Put an asterisk following the root of the word to find all variations of that word, including singular and plural.

Example:environment* (finds environments, environmental, environmentalist, etc.)

(Grouping/Nesting Keywords) - Use parentheses ( ) as a way to group all your search terms together.

Example:(climate change or global warming) and population growth

See the Basic Search Tips guides for more information, including examples.

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