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HEA 110: Credible Health Research Practice

Research guide for Coutouzis HEA 110.

How to Use this Guide

Female doctor using a computerEach module page on this guide includes topic suggestions, search examples you can use when searching a library database (like Summon) or an internet search engine (like Google, DuckDuckGo, etc.), and a list of global resources.

After you get ideas about what words and phrases to use for your topic, go to these pages to learn how to find more sources:

Remember! If you are having trouble with searching, please ask your instructor or a librarian for help! We can get you going in the right direction, which will save you a lot of time. 

Search Box Examples

Summon Search

Summon searches for articles and books found in online library databases. To search Summon, go to the Articles & Ebook page.

  • Type your search phrase into the search box, or you can copy and paste a search phrase you've seen listed in this guide.
  • Search Example: suicide AND (behavior OR "contributing factors" OR "predisposing factors")

Summon Search Box

Google Search

  • In a Google search box, type your search phrase.
  • Search Example: suicide AND (behavior OR "contributing factors" OR "predisposing factors")
    • TIP: Copy and paste the search example above into a Google search box, then change the keywords to match your topic.
  • Most of the results are coming from reputable sources such as the Cleveland Clinic and SAMHSA.
  • Good Search Phrases (better vocabulary, using AND, OR, parentheses, etc.) = Better Results

Google search results page

Build a Better Search

The better your search phrase, the better your results will be! This is true whether you are searching the internet or a library database.

Search Phrase Basics

  • DO NOT type complete sentences or questions in a search box.
    • Just use keywords.
    • Do not type: What are the sleep habits of students attending college?
    • The keywords are: sleep habits college students

 

  • Use the word AND to connect keywords and phrases.
    • Put AND in all caps.
    • AND tells the search that ALL of the words in the search box must be mentioned in the article, webpage, book, etc.
    • Example: Australia AND diet AND students

 

  • Use the word OR to group similar words together inside parentheses.
    • Put OR in all caps. 
    • OR tells the search that at least ONE of the words inside the parentheses must be mentioned, but it doesn't matter which one.
    • Example: (marijuana OR cannabis)

 

  • Put quote marks around two or more words that you want searched as an exact phrase.
    • Example: "sleep habits"

Words are Important

  • Try different words and phrases!
    • Using different words will get you different (or better!) results. 
    • Your vocabulary will grow as you research each topic. If you see a new word, look it up. It might be a better word to use.

 

  • Use the tabs in this box for words to help you focus your search.
    • Example: If you want to find a source that talks about preventing a disease or situation, use the word suggestions under the Prevent or Treat tab when building your search phrase.

Are you trying to prevent or treat?

Use words like:

  • prevention
  • intervention
  • treatment
  • program

Search Examples:

  • depression AND treatment
  • suicide AND (prevention OR intervention)
  • stress AND (prevention OR intervention OR treatment OR program)

What behaviors, factors, or effects are involved?

Use words or phrases such as: 

  • behavior
  • risk factors
  • contributing factors
  • predisposing factors
  • long-term effects
  • short-term effects

Search Examples:

  • sleep AND (behavior OR habits)
  • suicide AND (behavior OR "risk factors")

Who? What population(s)?

Add words to describe the population group (people) you want to learn more about:

  • students, college students, university students, adults, children, etc.
  • male, female, transgender, etc.
  • American, Chinese, Hispanic, African, Indigenous, Native American, etc.
  • poverty, poor, homeless, displaced, refugee, etc.

Search Examples:

  • sleep AND (homeless OR displaced) AND students
  • health literacy AND students AND (native OR indigenous OR tribal) AND ("United States" OR American)
  • suicide AND intervention AND "college students"

Where? Location?

Add a country or region as a keyword to find sources that mention that location:

  • Mexico
  • Italy
  • "United States"
  • "South America"

Search Examples:

  • Mexico AND suicide
  • China AND students AND stress
  • (Sweden OR Norway OR Denmark OR Scandinavia) AND anxiety AND (intervention OR programs)
Subjects: Medicine & Health