PSY 241: Birth Customs Around the World

Once you have a topic, create search phrases with keywords in order to search library databases.

Topic example:

• I want to find information about lotus birth as practiced in Australia.

Search example:

• "lotus birth" AND Australia

Search Examples

• parturition AND psychology AND belief
• birth AND rituals AND Chinese
• childbirth AND (Judaism OR Jews OR Jewish)
• (childbirth OR birth OR parturition) AND customs

Search Tips

In addition to searching for birth, also try . . .

• childbirth
• parturition
• childbearing
• pregnancy
• post-birth rituals
• traditional birth attendants

Look up unfamiliar words:

• Example: What does parturition mean? Parturition is the action or process of giving birth.
• While you read articles and books you my come across words that you don't know, but are very important to your research! 
• Always look up and investigate the meanings of new words or phrases.
• Try using new words or phrases in your databases searches to see if you get different or better results.

Focus on a specific ritual, rite, or ceremony:

• lotus birth
• Jatakarma
• "zuo yue zi" OR "sitting the month"

Focus on a specific racial, ethnic, or religious group:

• Islam
• Igbo
• Navajo
   

Combine similar words with OR to expand your search:

• (Mexican OR Mexico OR Hispanic OR Latino)
• (Muslim OR Islam OR Islamic)
• (Jew OR Jewish OR Judaism)
• (Japan OR Japanese)
• ("American Indian" OR "Native American" OR "Native North Americans")