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BUS 290 (Scharff): Library

Welcome BUS 290 Students!

I'm here to support you with your research.

Questions? Email Stacey

Database Search Tips

Get better results by breaking your research topic into keywords and using related terms.

  • Use quotation marks to search for exact phrases: "electric vehicle" or "business school"
  • Use AND to combine concepts: MBA AND rankings AND cost
  • Use OR to find alternatives: (laptop OR notebook OR computer)
  • Include your evaluation criteria: cost, quality, features, reputation, location

💡 Research Tip: When comparing options, think about your evaluation criteria first (cost, quality, convenience, reputation, etc.), then search for sources that address those specific factors.


Topic Example

Example Topic: Comparing electric vehicles for a company fleet purchase

Step 1: Identify Key Concepts

  • Electric vehicle: EV, electric car, plug-in vehicle, battery electric
  • Comparison terms: versus, comparison, review, rankings, best
  • Evaluation criteria: cost, range, reliability, charging, maintenance

Step 2: Build Search Strategies

  • "electric vehicle" AND comparison
  • EV AND "total cost" AND business
  • "company fleet" AND "plug-in vehicle" AND reliability
  • ("electric car" OR "battery electric") AND rankings

Step 3: Search and Refine

  • Start with broad searches, then narrow down
  • Try different keyword combinations
  • Look for "comparison" or "review" articles
  • Use database filters for recent sources
  • Adjust keywords based on your results

News Sources

Academic Programs & MBA Research

Career Research & Academic Pathways