It is possible to find information more effectively and efficiently by using search strategies. Search strategies usually involve:
Modifying keywords
When modifying keywords, consider using:
phrase searching (use when you need to find results containing a phrase e.g. "adolescent pedagogy")
truncation (use to simultaneously search for different word endings, e.g. adolescen* = adolescence, adolescent, adolescents)
Combining keywords
Keywords are combined using: AND, OR and NOT. The following examples show you how you might use these operators:
AND, OR and NOT are known as Boolean operators. Knowing when and how to use Boolean operators effectively can greatly improve search results.
Limiting search results
There may be other elements that need to be considered in a search e.g. you might have to find only current information.
Investigate the options for limiting search results in the information sources that you use (e.g. the Library Collection and the World Wide Web).
Note: Check the ‘Help’ or ‘Search Tips’ links provided when searching the Library Collection and the Web as the use of search strategies may vary.
Phrase searching involves placing double quotation marks ("__") around two or more words to create a search term.
This technique narrows the search to retrieve only those results in which the exact phrase appears. [Example]
"workplace productivity" will search for results in which the words workplace and productivity appear in that exact order.
Note: A phrase search will only search for results that contain the exact spelling of the keywords. [Example]
A search for "work behaviour" will not retrieve results containing "work behavior".
Use phrase searching when using Library Search, databases and the Internet.
Truncation is a searching technique which can be employed when using Discover It! or searching within databases. It involves adding the turncation symbol at the end of a word. See example below.
The most commonly used truncation symbol is the asterisk (*). [Tip]
Some databases use different truncation symbols so it is important to check the database 'Help' information or 'Search Tips' for details about which symbol to use.
Truncation enables different forms of a word to be searched for simultaneously, and will increase the number of search results found. [Example]
For example: If the truncation symbol is *, then the truncated word, work*, will search for results containing work, worker, workers, workplace etc.
Note: Placing the truncation symbol too soon in a word should be avoided as many irrelevant results could be retrieved.
For example: wor* will search for results containing work, but it will also retrieve unrelated terms like worry, world, word, wore etc.
Wildcards are symbols used in database searches to represent a letter or letters within a word.
Using a wildcard enables different forms or spelling of a word to be searched simultaneously.
The most commonly used wildcard symbol is the question mark (?).
[Example]
In Library Search use ? to find one character only, or # to find one or more characters.
organi?ation will search for information containing the words organization or organisation.
behavi#r will search for information containing the words behaviour or behavior.
Boolean operators are specific words used to combine keywords to improve the chances of finding relevant information.
The most commonly used Boolean operators are AND, OR and NOT.
Boolean Operator |
Purpose |
Example |
Result |
AND |
combine keywords that reflect different concepts |
workplace AND health |
Search results will contain both of the terms workplace and health. Using AND decreases the number of results, because each time a keyword is added, the focus of the search is narrowed. |
OR |
combine keywords that reflect similar concepts |
workplace OR business OR organisation |
Search results will contain one, or both, of the terms workplace or business or organisation. Using OR increases the number of results, because a broader range of keywords is searched. |
NOT |
exclude a keyword |
(productivity OR efficiency) NOT profit* |
Search results will contain both of the terms productivity and efficiency but only if they do not contain the third term profit. Using NOT reduces the number of results by excluding information not required |
Many databases allow for searches for words within a certain distance of each other.
In Ebscohost databases (Discover It!, PsycINFO, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection), there are two different proximity searches.
1. Near - The search will find two words within X number of words of each other regardless of order in which they are entered
e.g. witness N5 identification examples of what this search will retrieve
identification for child witness
OR
different witness skills including investigative interviewing, facial identification and juror perceptions
2. Within - The search will find two words within X number of words in the order they are entered
e.g violence W2 television
violence on television
NOT
television violence
Proximity searches allow you to use truncation on words in a phrase.
e.g "behavioural problems" will only retrieve records that use the English spelling and the word problems
behavio* n1 problem* will retrieve records that contain either behaviour or behavior within 1 word of all variant endings to the word stem problem
Nesting is an advanced search strategy that allows you to combine multiple search terms together and utilize Boolean operators and wild cards.
For example, when looking for information about the psychology of eyewitness identification in a one line search, place all terms combined using OR within parentheses. This indicates that this part of the search is performed first.
psychology AND ident* AND (eyewitness OR "eye witness")
Alternatively you can use the Advanced search option.
It is possible to find information more effectively and efficiently by using search strategies. Search strategies usually involve:
Modifying keywords
When modifying keywords, consider using:
phrase searching (where you need to find the words together, e.g. "work environment")
truncation (searching for different word endings, e.g. workplace, workers, working)
Combining keywords
Keywords are combined using: AND, OR and NOT.
For example: (workplace OR business) AND stress
AND, OR and NOT are known as Boolean operators. Knowing when and how to use Boolean operators effectively can greatly improve search results.
Demonstration: You may find it easier to understand how Boolean operators work by watching them in use. The University of Auckland has produced a Boolean operators movie, (4 min 51 sec ) which provides a good overview of Boolean operators, and is highly recommended viewing.
Limiting search results
There may be other elements that need to be considered in a search e.g. is it important to find information published within a specific timeframe?
Investigate the options for limiting search results when using information sources/tools (e.g. databases, the Web, Library Search).
It may be useful to investigate the strategies which can help focus a search more specifically. These strategies help to limit the search results to the information which is most relevant.
Some widely available strategies used to limit searches include:
limit by date - limits the search to a particular year range limit by type of publication - limits the search to a particular type of format e.g. book,
scholarly journal, newspaper article, maplimit by field - limits the search to a specific field e.g. author, citation and
abstract, subject
Note: Check the ‘Help’ or ‘Search Tips’ links when searching the Library Collection and the Web as the use of search strategies may vary. (Library Search, databases and Google all contain these links.)
When modifying keywords, consider using:
phrase searching (where you need to find the words together, e.g. "work environment")
truncation (searching for different word endings, e.g. workplace, workers, working)
Keywords are combined using: AND, OR and NOT.
For example: (workplace OR business) AND health
AND, OR and NOT are known as Boolean operators. Knowing when and how to use Boolean operators effectively can greatly improve search results.
Demonstration: You may find it easier to understand how Boolean operators work by watching them is use. The Univeristy of Auckland has produced a Boolean operators movie, which provides a good overview of Boolean operators, and is highly recommended viewing.
There may be other elements that need to be considered in a search e.g. is it important to find information published within a specific timeframe?
Investigate the options for limiting search results when using information source/tools e.g. Discover It!, databases, World Wide Web.
It may be useful to investigate the strategies which can help focus a search more specifically. These strategies help to limit the search results to the information which is most relevant.
Some widely available strategies used to limit searches include:
limit by date - limits the search to a particular year range limit by type of publication - limits the search to a particular type of format e.g. book,
scholarly journal, newspaper article, maplimit by field - limits the search to a specific field e.g. author, citation and
abstract, subject
Check the ‘Help’ or ‘Search Tips’ links when searching the Library Collection and the Web as the use of search strategies may vary. (Discover It!, databases and Google all contain these links.)
Command words appear in an assessment task and can also be called instructional, operational or task words. They indicate what approach should be applied to the information found.
Examples of command words are as follows:
Command Word |
Meaning |
account for |
explain (reason) |
analyse |
examine closely; examine in parts; show how the parts contribute to the whole |
assess |
decide the value of; judge; measure the importance of |
compare |
discuss two or more things in terms of their similarities and differences |
critically evaluate |
weigh arguments for and against something; assess all evidence; decide which opinions, theories, models or items are preferable. |
describe |
give a detailed account of the features of something without interpreting the information |
discuss |
present and give a judgement on the value of arguments for and against; consider all angles |
evaluate |
judge; criticise in terms of impact/significance, and investigate the implications |
examine |
make clear the details/meaning of; look in particular at reasons, causes and effects; account for; give reasons; justify |
explore |
describe in detail and note impact |
indicate |
focus on specific areas (similar to illustrate) |
interpret |
make clear the meaning of; consider implications |
outline |
describe main features; give a broad but thorough account; identify briefly the main features of |
relate |
show similarities and connections between two or more things |
review |
describe chief features and criticise generally (important parts) |
For more examples of command words, use Library Search to search for books about "assignment writing".
Sources:
Marshall, L & Rowland, F 1993, A guide to learning independently, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.
Open Learning Network 1992, Writing and reading in tertiary education, Study Guide, Author, Brisbane, Qld.
Cotterell, S 1999, The study skills handbook, MacMillan, London.