Before using the sources you find online, be sure to evaluate each source for credibility. Not all sources found through Google searching are credible enough to be used in an academic setting. Looking at each source through the CRAAP lens can help you determine how sound your sources are.
Not all articles are created equal - different kinds of articles in the library databases contain different kinds of information. Popular sources tend to be the least credible, but are often the only source to find articles on less scholarly topics. Consider your assignment and topic to decide which source is appropriate for you.
Choosing Your Keywords
An effective search depends on a good choice of keywords (i.e. you cannot type a question into the database). How do you pull out keywords from your research question or statement to use in your database search?
Here's an example:
What are the effects of media violence on teenagers?
Synonyms:
Effects OR Consequences
Media OR Television
Violence OR Aggression OR Destructive Behavior
Teenagers OR Adolescents
Possible Search strategies:
Media AND Violence AND Teenagers
Television AND Aggression AND Adolescents
Television AND Violence AND Teenagers AND Effects
Media AND Destructive Behavior AND Adolescents AND Consequences