Begin by brainstorming a list of terms or phrases, including synonyms, that could be useful for exploring the topic.
Most research databases do not interpret natural language searches, such as "Do both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs have to be reduced to combat eutrophication?" So, break up your research question into key search terms and phrases. Then, use the word ‘AND’ to combine your terms.
Putting “quotation marks” around your search phrase ensures that the database searches for that exact phrase.
“nutrient pollution” “algae blooms” “water pollution”
To search for all alternate endings of a word, search with the root of the word and then an asterisk*.
Pollut* - This search will find all variations of the word, including pollute, pollutes, polluted, pollution.
This strategy can help speed up your searching.