BAM101/BAM107 Business Research Tutorial

First, think about the topic you’re researching. What words might be used in an article related to that topic? Brainstorm search terms. Think about the key words that describe the topic, as well as synonyms and related terms.

If the topic is unfamiliar to you, start by doing some background research!  This will help you generate a list of keywords or subtopics to search for. Tools for conducting background research include:

• Textbooks: Review the relevant chapter or section in your textbook, and look for any vocabulary or sub-topics to search for.
• Google: Google your topic and see what comes up. Look for subtopics that look interesting, and consider searching for these in library databases.
• Wikipedia: Google may lead you to a Wikipedia page on your topic. Review the Wikipedia for potential subtopics and keywords to use in your search, but remember that anyone can edit Wikipedia articles, and for this reason articles may be unreliable or out of date.
• Encyclopedias: Encyclopedias, such as Encyclopedia Britannica , will often provide brief introductions to a topic, and can provide a good overview of a topic.

Once you have a topic, consider what potential search terms could be used to find information. What language could you use to describe the topic? Consider synonyms and related terms.

For example, search terms for materials related to Banking could include some of the pictured words. Or, combine terms with any subtopics that are of interest.

After doing background research and choosing search terms, you’re ready to start searching for newspaper and magazine articles on your topic!

Evaluating Information

While reviewing search results, consider whether an article is Current enough, Relevant for your topic, and what the Purpose of the article is.

Currency	Is the information up-to-date? When was it published or posted?  If the source refers to reports or information, how current are these references?
Relevance	Does the information relate to your research topic? Is your research topic covered in enough detail? Is there a specific geographic area that the material should cover?
Purpose	Is the information presented objectively, or could the author be trying to sell, entertain, or persuade readers? Can you detect any potential biases? Is the article opinion-based?

Whether an article is current enough and relevant enough will vary depending on the research assignment. Review your assignment criteria, and consider some of the above questions when evaluating information and choosing research sources.