 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Subtopic
Menu
Help
for Students
Help for Students>Search Tips
Tips for Effective Searching
1. Think about the topic: Have a clear idea of what is needed before beginning to search. What are some terms and related terms that might be used to get at the information you are seeking?
2. Select a topic appropriate database/search engine: Different databases and search engines will give different information from one another. Is the search simple and straightforward (ex. President Bush) or more complex (ex. death penalty pro/con)? Is the topic general or specific to a discipline (ex. education, science )? Are popular or scholarly articles needed? The answer to those questions will help to determine which database or search engine to use.
3. Evaluate Information: Remember that some evaluation has already been done on articles in library databases while those using information from the Web must evaluate the information themselves for authenticity. For more information, see Evaluating Websites
4. Read the help screens: Each database or Web search engine will have its own way of searching and will provide helpful tips on effective searching. For example, some search engines allow the user to put quotation marks around a term so that it can be searched as a unit rather than as separate words (ex. "george bush").
5. Use several search sources: If the search needs to be comprehensive, use more than one database or search engine.
6. Be flexible with search terms: If the search fails to find information, try using a synonym, a related search term, a variant spelling (email or e-mail), or a different database or search engine. Also consider narrowing or widening the search.
7. Spelling counts: Check your spelling and/or typing for errors.
8. Case counts too: Use the correct case. To find uppercase instances of a word, capitalize the word in the search. To find both uppercase and lowercase instances of a term, use lowercase.
9. Stick to words: Avoid using special characters or punctuation in searches.
10. Consider different meanings: Remember that words often have many meanings (ex., Cherokee can mean an Indian tribe or a type of jeep.)
11. Weird words work best: Rare or unusual words are easier to find than common ones. Very common words, like computer tend to bring back too much unnecessary or incorrect information
12. Keep it simple: Don't use too many search terms. One to three are enough.
13. Prefer phrases: Search for phrases when possible rather than single words. Some Web search engines will allow phrases to be included with in quotation marks, thus telling the engine to search for the phrase rather than for each word separately. Ex.presidential libraries.
14. Watch out for word order: Word order for search terms is not important in using library databases. However, when searching the Web, put the most important word in the search first.
15. Boolean searching is effective: Try using the Boolean operators and, or, not to connect search terms.
16. Presentation order varies: In online databases found in libraries, the results are usually presented in chronological order with the most recent articles first. In some Web search engines, the searches are listed in order of relevance, often with a percentage indicating the likelihood of the relevance of the site. However, sometimes what is needed is not listed first as most relevant, so continue on through several pages of results before giving up. Ignore the useless hits and pursue the good ones. Different search engines sort differently.
17. Keep track of search terms: It is helpful to keep a list of the terms searched and search them on different databases. Some library databases, like Readers' Guide Abstracts , will keep a record on the screen of all of your searches while you are online so you can return to a search. Other databases and Web search engines do not do this.
18. Bookmark Web searches: In searching on the Web, keep and reuse your search via bookmarking. If a retrieved site seems like it might be good, bookmark it or print it. The bookmark can always be deleted later. Sometimes the same search on the same search engine will yield different results, and a needed site might not be easily found again.
19. Learn most-used sources: It is a good idea to become familiar with a database or search engine that might be used a lot. Each of the databases and search engines has help pages to assist in constructing a search for maximum results. Search processes may change over time as databases and search engines become more sophisticated, so watch for changes.
20. Stay focused: If possible, try not to be distracted by other, interesting information and websites while searching.
21. It may not be there: It is possible that a database or search engine will not find what the topic being searched. This could mean that the database doesn't cover the necessary time period or is not recent enough. It is also possible that the information does not exist on the Web.
22. Learn from the experts: Attend workshops, read books and magazine/journal/web articles on effective searching, and ask pros for help.
23. Librarians can help: Remember that librarians are always ready to assist in finding information, in online databases, on the Internet, and in books and periodicals.
--Sandra Wittman
Professor Emeritus, Library Services
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines/Skokie, Illinois
See also:
