Identify Search Terms
The best search terms will be the main concepts in your research topic. Take the time to choose them carefully, and your searches will be more successful.
For example:
Research question: How does globalization affect women in developing countries?
Search terms: globalization, women, developing countries
Depending on what database you're using, you may find that the terms women and globalization are sufficient without the phrase developing countries. This is especially likely when searching for a book. There may be a book about women and globalization that has a chapter on developing countries, but the whole book is not on that particular aspect.
You should have at least two concepts for your research topic, only one will be too broad, making it difficult to research and to write about.
When searching in an article database, the more specific search terms are usually more successful, and you would probably use all three concepts.
For more Research Help please visit the resources below.
Test your knowledge: Boolean operators
Finding Articles: Search Strategies
Identifying Scholarly vs Professional/Trade vs Popular publications
English Language Teaching Educational Journal
"The ELTEJ aims to provide an international forum for educators, researchers, professionals to share their ideas on all topics related to English language teaching and learning, Engish literature in ELT, and linguistics."
TESL Canada Journal
" ...an open-access peer-reviewed journal publishing in the areas of teaching and learning of official languages (English and French), minority, heritage or Aboriginal languages, and research relevant to language teacher education and development. "
TESL E-J
"TESL-EJ aims to support ESL & EFL instructors and researchers around the world through articles that are applicable to their teaching and their student’s learning. Consequently, we strive to publish articles with information that is relevant to a wide range of educational contexts.We do not publish contributions that are only relevant to a single country."
Language & Literacy: A Canadian Education E-Journal
"...main emphasis is on papers researching issues related to the nature, function and use of language and literacy in both formal and informal educational contexts and across the lifespan. This includes the history, development, use, learning and teaching of language and literacy, as well as policy."
ELT Journal
"...links the everyday concerns of practitioners with insights gained from relevant academic disciplines such as applied linguistics, education, psychology, and sociology. ELT Journal aims to provide a medium for informed discussion of the principles and practice which determine the ways in which English is taught and learnt around the world. It also provides a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among members of the profession worldwide." (NOTE: Requires a current Douglas College Library login to access from off campus.)