Plan
Build your search
Developing a comprehensive search strategy is an iterative (circular) process.
Use scoping searching to discover key terminology, then adapt and rerun searches until you reach the point where you have a comprehensive but precise search strategy.
Techniques for developing a search strategy:
- mind mapping or concept mapping
- tabling
Watch this short video (5 min) on how to mind map by creator Tony Buzan.
Use the following worksheet to help you map out your search:
- Mapping out your search worksheet - Word (48 KB)A template to use to plan (map out) your search strategy
More help:
- MindMup softwareYou can sign up for a free access to this software.
The planning process
Watch one of the below videos for a quick overview on planning a search strategy.
Even though the research questions used may not be in your discipline area, you can apply the techniques shown to your own question.
How to plan step by step
Example question:
Does the general public support the use of quotas as a strategy to get more women into parliament?
More help:
- How to plan your searchThis resource explains how to combine and connect search terms using OR, AND, NOT.
Whether or not to split phrases
It may be better to split certain phrases to search for them as two separate concepts instead of one. This will depend on how they are written in the literature. For example:
- "safe practices"
- practices that are safe
If you think you will split a phrase consider whether you will add it:
- as another concept connected with AND
- safe* AND practice*
- with a proximity operator
- safe* Near/4 practice*
Proximity operators finds concepts within a certain amount of words, proximity, from each other. This symbol can vary between databases.