 Welcome to this session on developing a search strategy for researching an assignment topic. Scholarly writing requires all arguments to be supported by references to relevant research that's of a scholarly quality. A search strategy is needed to source this relevant research. Start by examining the topic or question to identify words and concepts to use when searching for relevant research. In this example the search words are global warming as well as food security. Include synonyms and spelling variations for a more comprehensive search. Next create searches from the search words. Use Boolean operators to join the search words into search strings. The main operators are and to search for all words in a document or to search for either word in a document. Another search tool to use is double inverted commas. Placing these around words creates phrases for searching. Create concept strings by combining the search words using the Boolean operator or. Enclose each concept string within brackets. Join the concept strings together using the Boolean operator and meaning that each concept must appear within the same document. So create a search string by combining concept strings using search operators. Note that search operators are usually capitalized to denote a command. Check the assignment instructions for any search limits such as only referencing peer reviewed articles or those published within the last three years. After creating search strings select relevant resources and databases to search. Resources such as library search include books in search results which give an in depth and broad examination of a topic as well as articles that report on current research on a topic. Databases allow for more specific searching for articles. Different databases have different subject specializations hence the need to search relevant databases. On the Murdoch University Libraries databases page specific databases can be searched for by title or selected from the browse by subject or category lists. Websites from reputable organizations can also be included in scholarly research. Look for web addresses for educational or government institutions or organizations that have rigorous review processes to ensure reliable content. Search the selected databases and resources using searches created from the topics identified search words. Type in the search strings and any search limiters. Review or modify a search if it's not returning relevant results by repeating the search strategy. For example, initial research can reveal additional search words or aspects of a topic to further explore. Using different databases may provide different search results or search filters can be modified to limit or to broaden search results. A search strategy is used for effectively searching for relevant research on a topic. The Murdoch University Libraries YouTube channel includes more videos on related topics to help with research. For more research help visit the Murdoch University Library.