where.rb

# Before:
@avatars = Avatar.order("avatars.name ASC, avatars.name ASC")
@avatars = @avatars.where(["avatars.name like ? or users.email like ? or users.name like ?", params[:term], params[:term], params[:term]]) unless params[:term].blank?
@avatars = @avatars.paginate(:page => params[:page], :per_page => 25)

# After
class Avatar
  
  def self.find_by_something(something, order="name ASC")
    ['avatars.name LIKE ?', 'users.email LIKE ?', 'users.name LIKE ?'].inject(self.order(order).includes(:user)) do |assoc, cond|
      assoc.where(cond, something)
    end
  end
  
end

Avatar.find_by_something("Josh").paginate(:page => params[:page], :per_page => 25)