Planning your search is key to getting the most out of your search results. The following video will help you get started.
Video length: 2 min 26 sec
The rest of this page will outline the three key steps for planning your search as discussed in this video: identify keywords, consider alternative keywords, and connect your keywords.
Typing your question into Google or the Library Website is not the best way to search.
Mapping out your search can be a good place to start:
Check the Study Help guide below for more information on instruction words.
Can you find the keywords in the two activities below?
Now you've identified the keywords in your assignment question, try doing the following to help you understand your keywords and find similar or alternative keywords.
Do some basic initial searching using the keywords you've already identified to see what other words are used in the papers you find.
You can also create a mindmap or table to help you brainstorm alternative keywords.
Once you have identified your keywords and found alternative keywords, you need to connect these to put your search together.
Use the following operator words, which most search tools will have, to indicate how you want the tool to search for your keywords:
Note: Remember to use "quotation marks" to keep phrases together.
For example:
Remember, searching is not a linear process. You may change your search as you discover more information.
Read and watch the following Library resources.