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ENGL 100 (Hagen) SP25

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MLA Guide Assignment The Learning Centers Ask A Librarian

Database Searching

  • Spelling counts! Not seeing many results? Double-check your spelling.
  • Try "Phrase Searching" - Place quotation marks around keywords to keep them together.
    • Example: "social media" "echo chambers"
  • Use AND to combine terms.
    • Example: "filter bubbles" AND algorithms
  • Apply Truncation (shift + 8 to get the asterisk) to search multiple word variations.
    • Example: algorithm* searches algorithm, algorithms, and algorithmic
  • Grow your keywords in abstracts, article titles, and subjects.

Keyword Search Tutorial Video

Keyword searching is not an exact science. Experiment with different combinations for the best results.

Step 1: Before Background Research

1. Preliminary Topic: How has technology positively and/or negatively impacted our lives and/or relationships with one another?

2. Select a Focus Example: Social media algorithms

3. Brainstorming Keywords: Before diving into research, create a list of synonyms and related terms.

  • Information & Engagement - Information exposure, content engagement, ideological division, public opinion
  • Algorithmic Influence - Personalization, content curation, recommendation systems
  • Social & Political Effects - Disinformation, misinformation, algorithmic bias, social media addiction, filter bubbles, echo chambers, polarization

Step 2: After Background Research

Now that you've explored the topic, refine your research question and keywords.

Research Question: How do social media algorithms influence our interactions online?

Main Concept Possible Research Aspects
"Social media" AND Algorithms
  • Polarization
  • Misinformation
  • Disinformation
  • Filter bubbles
  • Bias

Example Search: "social media" AND algorithms AND disinformation

Gale Ebooks

EBSCOhost

Opposing Viewpoints

Databases

More Databases

Research Compilation

Completing the Research Compilation

  • Copy the Citation Chart into a Google Doc or Word file.
  • Find 10 Potential Sources relevant to your essay.
  • Locate MLA Citations using database citation tools. Double-check citations with our MLA Style Guide.
  • Add Permalinks for sources found in library databases.
  • Write Notes on why each source is useful or how you might use it.
  • (Optional): Add up to 5 extra sources in case you need alternatives.
Research Compilation