- Searching Skills
- Focusing on a Topic
- Selecting Search Terms
- Constructing a Search Strategy
- Suggestions to Improve Search Results
Selecting Search Terms
Selecting the terms (the words) to use in a search process can be challenging. The searcher identifies keywords and related terms for the information needed in both general sources, such as the online catalog, and in subject-specific sources, such as the databases.
Additionally, the searcher needs to identify alternate terminology, including synonyms, broader or narrower words and phrases that describe a topic. A helpful technique is to first write down the main keywords, and then list additional synonyms and subject terms that can be used when conducting the search. For example:
| Key Concept | Synonyms | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| political entity |
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|
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When prepared with the list of search terms, implement the search strategy in the various information retrieval systems such as the online catalog, databases and the Web. It is recommended that the search process begin with a basic keyword search. Each information retrieval system may use different search terms for the same topic, which is why it is important to prepare a list of synonyms, broader or narrower words and phrases before undertaking the search.