Thursday, May 7, 2009

Introduction to the Internet: Steps in electronic searching

Information need

Create search question
Identify keywords in search question
Put keywords into concept groups

Link concept groups
Using
AND, OR, NOT
Operators

Select database

Identify search field (descriptor, title, etc.)
Check use of truncation, parentheses, etc.

Conduct search

Evaluate search results

No results

Too few results

Too many records

Relevant records

Consult thesaurus
Check spelling &
use of parentheses

Broaden search
- Use OR
- Use truncation
Consult thesaurus
for alternative terms
Change search field

Narrow search
- Select precise terms
Use AND, NOT
Remove truncation
Consult thesaurus
Change search field

Accept results
Print or download
results

Consider using a
different database

Too few results

Too many records

Relevant records


Conduct search again

Evaluate search results

Reject results

Relevant results

Accept results

Print or download records


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