Below are some Library of Congress Subject Headings that may be useful in narrowing a search.
What do I want to know?
What does the assignment require?
to make your question specific, without getting too specific.
phrasing it as a question using the five W's and an H. (Who, What, When, Where, Why, or How). This format can help the task seem more manageable; asking a question in conversation is something most of us have been doing for a long time.
For example, "How does the use of activity-based costing (ABC) influence strategic decision-making in manufacturing firms?"
This map is downloadable for you but there are lots of concept map styles online. If you don't like this one, find one that works for you.
For example:
If your research question is "How does the use of activity-based costing influence strategic decision making in manufacturing firms" the most important words in the question are "activity-based costing" and "strategic decision-making." Since their unique meaning is dependent on all of the words being present in that specific order, search them as a phrase.
Note: How phrase searching works may be different depending on the search tool.
Nearly all databases offer this option; you may have to look in various menus.
Use filter options to
limit the publication dates
specify a specific journal or magazine
specify or exclude a region of the world or country
specify or exclude certain types of sources
specify or exclude a language
For example, "strategic decision-making" is jargon for the common term planning.
The perfect article may not exist
Consider looking for articles that are more broad
AI Usage Disclosure: This content was written and edited by a human with assistance from AI tools.. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact the author liza.boman@slcc.edu
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