COMM:5200 Introduction to Research and Teaching
Research Tips
- Generate a list of your search terms and any synonyms
- Search for each term in databases or InfoHawk+
- If searching for a phrase, insert quotation marks around the phrase
- Limit your search by a date range if you want results from certain years
- Try your search terms in multiple databases
- Look at the footnotes and bibliography of scholarly articles - they can lead you to related sources!
- If you log in to InfoHawk+, you can pin resources that look interesting and come back to them later. It is also easier to request materials if you are already logged in.
- The first sources that you find may not be the best. Keep looking!
Creating a Search Statement

1. Create a Research statement
This can be in the form of a question or a sentence. Just think about what you want to research and write it down in one sentence.

2. Identify the Keywords
Look at your research statement. What are the main words or concepts? They will likely be nouns and can include phrases. Highlight them.

3. Think of Synonyms
Look at the words/phrases you highlighted and think of synonyms or alternate phrases to describe these concepts. Scholarly articles often use words that we wouldn't use in ordinary life.

4. Search in the Databases
Pick two or three words/phrases from your list. Put each concept in its own search box.

6. Search again!
Try different combinations of words to get different results. Add more words to narrow down your results. Look at the "Subject" headings for each article to see what keywords are being used the most.

5. Use Boolean Operators
The most common operators used in databases are AND, OR, and NOT. Make sure you separate different concepts/keywords by AND, and use OR in the same box to combine synonyms.
Search terms
Searching a library catalog or database does not always follow the same method as Google or other search engines. You will get the best results on InfoHawk+ if you search using subject headings from the Library of Congress. But how do you find them? Scrolling down in an item's record in InfoHawk+ will typically show the subject headings used and can provide search clues. Some useful subject term examples and formats for research are listed below.
Fans (persons)
Fandom -- United States
Fan fiction -- history and criticism
Subculture -- United States
Mass media and culture -- United States
Sports -- social aspects
Popular culture -- psychological aspects
Potter, Harry (Fictitious character)
Supernatural (Television program : 2005-2019)
Follow the format listed, even if the subject isn't what you want. For example, if you want Korean fandoms, you would search for Fandom -- Korea or maybe you are interested in Fan fiction -- social aspects instead of Fan fiction -- history and criticism.
Likewise, if you aren't researching the samples above, follow the format and enter your subject. Replace Supernatural and its dates with Game of Thrones (Television program). You aren't required to include the dates, but the general format will remain the same.
- Last Updated: Sep 16, 2025 10:33 AM
- URL: https://guides.lib.uiowa.edu/comm5200fall23
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