Resources for Information Skills

Section contents page Introduction Database searching What is an electronic database? Search strategies Planning your search Planning your search: key steps Boolean logic Advanced search techniques Reviewing your results Summary
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Reviewing your results

  • Has your search found the information you need? Look through the individual abstracts to decide whether particular articles will help you write your assignment. Mark those of relevance.
  • Decide if you need to amend your search:
    • Have you retrieved too many articles?
      • Narrowyour search by using more specific keywords
      • Combine additional terms to your existing search with AND
      • Limit by date, type of publication or language
    • Have you found too few articles?
      • Simplify your search,use broader terms or fewer words in combination
      • Combine alternative terms and synonyms to your existing search with OR
      • Check the database to see which is the preferred subject headingfor your topic
      • Limit by date, type of publication or language
    • Is the information you have found not what you wanted?
      • Do you need material other than journal articles? Look in the library catalogue for books and seek help from the librarians.
      • Ask to yourself, are you looking in the right database for your topic?Check which is the preferred subject heading for your topic in the thesaurus

Note:

You need to constantly review and evaluate your sources as you search for information. You need to be sure, not only that the information you find fits its purpose within your assignment but also, that the quality of the information is reliable.