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CMST, Conflict Management

Research resources & tips for students in Anderson's class

Which search words should I use?

Below are some general guidelines and some useful search techniques. Finding search words that work can be hard. Ask librarians for help any time.

When searching for books & within encyclopedias

Try search words or phrases which describe a broad topic.

Example searches:
  • listening
  • attachment
  • conflict

When searching for articles in magazines, newspapers, & journals

Try searching for narrow topics.

Example searches:
  • conflict AND families AND listening
  • conflict AND families AND "active listening"

When searching the open web (Google, Bing, etc.)   Earth and web pointer image

Search engine results may retrieve all types of resources (books, articles, etc.).

Try both search term approaches: searching for broad topics and narrow topics.

Phrase searching

Enclose a phrase in quotation marks:

  • "birth order"
  • "attachment styles"
  • "active listening"

Combine search terms together

Combine multiple searches together with the word AND in capital letters:  

  •  listening  AND conflict
  • "family conflict"  AND  coping
  • "communication studies"   AND  "adult attachment styles"

Searching encyclopedias

When searching encyclopedias and textbooks, try broad topics. 

Here are example searches which correspond to your portfolio topics:

  • Listening
  • Conflict styles
  • Birth order
  • Attachment 
  • Personality types
  • Communication styles
  • Conflict  management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Conflict in families
  • Families AND communication
  • Families AND conflict
  • Intercultural conflict styles