Use a Search Strategy to Find Information
What is a Search Strategy
A search strategy is a structured method to explore databases using keywords, key terms and search operators to find the information needed for academic research, literature reviews and other university assignments.
Crafting a search strategy can be challenging, involving repeated evaluations and adjustments of key terms. In essence, it's a systematic plan developed for information retrieval in databases or libraries.
This process includes defining key terms and using search operators (like AND, OR, NOT) searching databases for sources like books, journal articles and scholarly sources to answer your research question.
Example of a Search Strategy
A search strategy helps focus the search, ensuring that the retrieved information is relevant to the research question. Adjustments are made iteratively to improve the precision and relevance of the search results.
Here's a simplified example of a search strategy, the process involves five steps:
Define the focus of your investigations and research
Identify keywords related to your research question
Create keyword combinations to search databases
Test the search terms
Review the search results and refine your search terms
Depending on the database used, additional search operators, synonyms, or related terms could be incorporated to enhance the strategy.
How to develop a Search Strategy
Step 1 – Choose Your Research Question:
Select a research question that aligns with your assignment goals.
Example: "Impact of a Mediterranean diet on energy levels of sports people."
Your question defines the project's focus, areas of investigation, reveals knowledge gaps, and sets the groundwork for your search strategy.
Step 2 – Brainstorm Related Keywords:
Generate a list of terms linked to your research question.
Include synonyms, abbreviations, and related phrases. Consult your lecture notes, recommended readings, and thesaurus for synonyms.
Example Keywords: Mediterranean diet, energy levels, sports people.
Step 3 – Create Keyword Combinations:
Develop a variety of combinations using your identified keywords.
Test these combinations to explore different facets of your research question.
Group words logically for an organized search strategy.
Example Combinations: Mediterranean diet + energy + sports people.
Step 4 – Test Your Search Terms:
Experiment with your keyword combinations using the university library catalogue or databases.
Evaluate the results, ensuring they align with your research question.
Example: Test "Mediterranean diet + energy + sports people" in the library catalogue.
Step 5 – Evaluate and Refine:
Assess the search results and refine your strategy accordingly.
Decide whether to maintain, expand, or narrow your search parameters.
Use Boolean Operators like AND and OR for precision.
Continuously update your list of keywords as new terms emerge.
Example: Evaluate results and decide whether to expand or narrow the search.
Remember, a dynamic search strategy evolves throughout your research journey. Regularly assess, adjust, and incorporate new keywords to ensure a thorough exploration of your chosen topic.
When to use a Search Strategy
Use a search strategy for all your secondary research investigations to provide a clear roadmap. This ensures a focused and efficient research process.
By setting intentions, your search strategy becomes a guide aligning your efforts with assignment objectives. It also serves as a valuable reference tool, documenting your research process and offering the flexibility to revisit specific steps.
A well-developed search strategy is not just a research tool; it is a vital step in the groundwork for your assignment, supporting a systematic and successful investigative journey.
Key situations when using a search strategy is beneficial:
Research Projects: the systematic retrieval of relevant information to address your research question or objectives.
Literature Reviews: locate and evaluate relevant sources, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Academic Assignments: gather information that aligns with the assignment's goals and criteria.
Answering Specific Questions: focus your efforts, ensuring that you find information directly related to the topic or issue at hand.
Information Retrieval: retrieving accurate and reliable information on a specific subject, helping you make informed decisions.
Exploring New Topics: explore existing literature to understand the key concepts, theories, and debates surrounding the subject.
Benefits of using a Search Strategy
A search strategy is a tool for finding information, it enhances the efficiency, relevance, and credibility of your research endeavours.
Here are some of the key benefits of a search strategy.
Focused Direction: a clear roadmap for your research journey by defining specific keywords, phrases, and parameters.
Optimized Use of Resources: a strategic tool, helping you make the most efficient use of available resources by streamlining your search process.
Alignment with Assignment Objectives: keeps you on course to deliver results consistent with the tasks outlined in the assignment.
Reference for Reflective Analysis: documents your investigative journey, allowing you to assess and refine your approach, or revisit specific steps if needed.
Support for Evidential Processes: evidencing your research process is crucial, adding credibility to your findings and methodology.
Drawbacks of using a Search Strategy
While search strategies are invaluable for information retrieval, they come with certain drawbacks that warrant consideration.
Understanding these limitations is crucial for optimizing the research process.
Overlooking Relevant Sources: relying solely on predefined search terms may lead to overlooking valuable sources that use different terminology or phrasing.
Keyword Ambiguity: keywords, especially in diverse fields, can be ambiguous or have multiple meanings.
Database Variances: databases may use distinct terminologies, and their search functionalities can vary.
Summary
Your research journey is a quest to answer a chosen research question, culminating in a coherent and well-structured essay that aligns with the assignment brief. Success in searching for information lies in a methodical approach rather than relying on chance.
In the first few weeks of each module, your lecturer will announce your assignment, the purpose of the assignment, the learning outcomes, assessment criteria and will give you an opportunity to discuss as a group different ideas and options. This is the start of your research journey.
Careful consideration of these parameters contribute to a successful research journey, ensuring that your essay not only answers the research question but also aligns seamlessly with the assignment's objectives.
There are lots of different search strategy paths you can take, each will lead you to a different set of results. Use the power of the tools available in the library catalogue to combine search terms and widen or narrow your search as needed.
Notebook
We have 6x9 notebooks with blank pages to give you space to document your Search Strategies.
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Search Strategy Templates
We have A4 and US Letter Search Strategy templates for you to use to document your research activities. Available in our store to purchase. Use the Add To Cart buttons below to find out more.
