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Human Resources Assignments Guide

Link to Western Library Resources to find basic information related to issues the human resources field.

Create a List of Search Terms (and Alternates) for Your Topic

How do I know what words to enter into the database's Search Box?

You may be assigned a topic to research or you may be asked to choose your own. Your topic will be your starting point in choosing search terms.note-taking icon

  • Types of search terms: 
    • keywords - a general list words related to your topic.
    • subject searches - words listed or bolded database lists
      • nouns - the names of something or someone -- people, things, places
        •  example - nouns for a topic in psychology: "depression,"  "bipolar disorder," "schizophrenia."
  • Make a list of main search terms 
  • Create a list of alternate search terms - synonyms (different words that mean the same thing)
    • WHY? Different authors will use different terms that mean the same thing so If you can't find enough information using one search term, another
    • Consult a Thesaurus to find related or alternative words or synonyms.  

Examples - Search Terms for HR Research

Diversity Unit Assignment:  Search Terms and Alternate Search Terms

  • bias - biases, biased, implicit bias, confirmation bias
  • mental health -  mental illness, mental well-ness, mental well-being
  • religion - religions, religious, religiosity

  serach icon Basic Search Terms -  Single Terms and Phrases

  • autism or autism spectrum
  • wage-earner
  • "human resources" 

serach icon   Advanced Search Strategy - Boolean Search

  • anxiety AND depression
    • finds results with both search terms 
  • autism OR autism spectrum OR autistc
    • finds results for either search terms
  • race NOT running OR driving
    • finds results for issues surrounding racism

serach icon   Advanced Search Strategy - Truncation

  • rac*
    • finds articles than contain words that begin with the root "rac" - race, racism, racist, racists

Business- Related Terms for HR Research

serach icon   Human Resources Search Terms and Synonyms

  • human resources - HR, personnel
  • employee -  staff member, laborer, worker, wage-earner
  • job - career, employment, position

  serach icon Basic Search Terms -  Single Terms and Phrases

  • employment
  • wage-earner
  • "human resources" 

serach icon   Advanced Search Strategy - Boolean Search

  • discrimination AND workplace
    • finds results with both search terms (discrimination in the work place)
  • (ADA OR Americans with Disabilities Act) AND workplace
    • finds results for either search term specific to the workplace
  • COBRA NOT snake
    • finds results for COBRA the health insurance program and eliminates results about snakes

serach icon   Advanced Search Strategy - Truncation

  • Employ*
    • finds articles than begin with the root "employ" - employ, employer, employee, employment, etc.
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