Q. How do you narrow down a search?

To narrow a search you need to think about your general topic and consider:

• Add another key idea to your search - general topic AND abc
• Who (populations) - age, gender, race, ethnicity
• What (types) - specific instances of the general topic
• When (time) - current, historical, specific dates
• Where (places) - local, national, global
• Why (evaluate) - causes, impacts, treatments, outcomes

For example, a general topic might be sleep deprivation. This topic could be narrowed:

• Another key idea - sleep deprivation AND learning; sleep deprivation AND video games
• Who - sleep deprivation AND college students; sleep deprivation AND WOMEN
• What - chronic sleep deprivation; acute sleep deprivation; microsleeps
• When - sleep deprivation AND last five years
• Where - sleep deprivation AND United States
• Why - sleep deprivation AND causes; sleep deprivation AND prevention