Instructions: Work through each step of this log, answering each question as the directions indicate. Each step, except Step 1, will receive a grade, and the sum of these grades will constitute your total grade for Research Log Part 1. Refer to the section on how each step of the log will be graded for detailed grading information.
Most fields require text entry. If a required field is left blank, your work will not be submitted. If there is no information to provide in a specific field, simply type N/A.
Note: Be sure to review the examples and hints provided with each step! Your answers should be similar to the examples.
Step 1: Select Your Research Question
What kind of treatment is a available for veterans with post traumatic stress dissorder?
Step 2: Select Your Search Terms
A. Identifying Key Concepts
List the three key concepts (words, phrases, or both) that best describe the main concepts of your selected research question from Step 1.
•Key Concept 1
•Key Concept 2
•Key Concept 3
Example: For the research question "How can marketing on the Internet be effective for a small business?" the key concepts are: marketing, Internet, small business
B. Brainstorming Alternative/Related Terms
Review the key concepts you listed in each of the boxes above (Step 2, Part A) and identify alternative terms/synonyms or related terms for each key concept in the appropriate box below.
Key Concept 1 Alternative/Related Terms
Key Concept 2 Alternative/Related Terms
Key Concept 3 Alternative/Related Terms
Example: For the research question example in Step 2, Part A:
Key Concept 1: marketing
Key Concept 1 Alternative/Related Terms: branding, advertising, promotion
Step 3: Create a Boolean Search Statement
Using all of the key concepts you identified in Step 2, Part A and some of the keywords (alternative/related terms) you identified in Step 2, Part B, create a search statement that effectively uses Boolean operators and advanced searching techniques (nesting, truncation, phrase searching).
Boolean Search Statement
Example: (marketing OR branding OR advertis*) AND (Internet OR Web) AND ("small business" OR entrepreneurship)