Searching Strategies

1. Read the search tips pages

1.1. Many sources of information have instructions on how to search them properly. Take the time to read these instructions as they will save you time and give you better results

2. Select the best search tool

2.1. Decide if you need a book, an article or a website to help you find the information

2.2. If you are looking for a website use the Search Engines listed on the 'Search Engine' page

2.3. Go to the 'Reference Research' page and check out the websites listed there

2.4. Go to the 'Newspapers and Magazine' page and check out the databases listed there for articles

2.5. Check the library catalogue

3. Define the topic

3.1. What is the definition of the topic?

3.2. What are the synonyms for this topic?

3.3. What are the keywords I could Use?

3.4. Have I spelt the words correctly?

4. Analyse the topic

4.1. What do I already know?

4.2. What do I need to find out?

4.3. How much do I need to find out?

4.4. Do I need to narrow or broaden the topic?

5. Use Boolean or Advanced Searching

5.1. Many sources of information have a Boolean or Advanced Search page which helps you search with 2 or more keywords combined. For more information click on the hyperlink under this heading

6. Evaluate the web sites

6.1. Websites are not checked or edited as a book would be so:

6.2. Use the checklist on the 'Website Evaluation' page to check that this information is correct

7. Evaluate the search results

7.1. Is this the information that you want?

7.2. Does it answer your original question?

7.3. If not, do you need to find another source of information? or

7.4. Do you need to refine your question and keywords?

7.5. New node