Not the only way to handle your thesis searches, but highlights some of our especially useful resources and hacks.

• If you don't have it, download (desktop app AND browser extension), install and ensure that Zotero is working as it should (i.e.: MS Word add-on (comes with the desktop app) has been installed correctly
• Brainstorm keywords (necessary search terms that describe the gotta-be-there concept(s) from your thesis statement, research questions or topic statements.  Some may be multi-word phrases (search for these by putting a double quote ( " ) before and after the words. This will involve Background Research. You won't find them all, either  - you'll find others during your searching.  Depending on how new you are to research, if you're not that familiar with study designs, do background research so you know the names of the general and specific types of studies that are being done in your topic area to have them available as keywords
• Review the features (especially less common ones, like special limiters) of  the relevant databases you have access to
• Review RamSearch's utility for topic searches, but understand its limitations vis a vis your specific topic
• Review Google Scholar searching tips
• Review the quickest way to double-check both RamSearch AND the internet for free full text of any articles you find when it doesn't seem to be available in the exact place you found it, OR if you've found a citation and want to check for full-text - this may save you having to make a number of ILL requests!
• Start searching
• Record any NEW keywords you find, even if you won't necessarily have to use them all. Found in article titles, abstracts, database 'subject terms', etc.
• Mine the article references for more relevant articles.
• Try using a free ai-powered search engine like ResearchRabbit to carry out citation tracking (i.e., who later cited a researcher's article)
• Check that the articles (with PDFs if they were available) are going correctly into your Zotero desktop app
• Request early, via ILL, the PDFs for any citations in your Zotero library that don't have an attached PDF. When they arrive, you can attach them to the citation record in your library where they're ready to read
• Check that you set up Zotero's free cloud back-up account and daily synching so that if your computer dies a week before your thesis is due, you won't lose your mind. Use this cloud back up space as one of your (at least) 3 thesis back up copies.
• Never hesitate to request research support from the Research & Learning Librarians!