2. Information retrieval for research
• It is important that you develop effective information retrieval skills
so that you can:
– Get perspective on a topic
– Identify information and ideas relevant to your work
– Avoid reinventing the wheel
– Increase your knowledge of a subject area
– Provide intellectual content for your own work
– Complete a successful search for a literature review
3. Planning for your search
1. Reflect on your information needs before you start
2. Identify key concepts from your assignment requirements
Background reading & viewing, brainstorm with peers, concept map
3. Identify synonyms, related terms, alternative spelling and abbreviations
4. Determine search limits such as date, geography
5. Determine appropriate types of sources of information you need (journal
articles, books, reports, statistics, conference proceedings)
6. Determine best search tools (Database(s), Library Catalogue, Google)
4. Search Strategies and Tips
• Using ‘AND’ narrows a search: results must include both terms, e.g:
Inflation AND “developing countries”
• Using ‘OR’ broadens a search: results can include either term, e.g:
planning OR management
benefits OR strengths OR advantages
GFC OR “global financial crisis”
• Using ‘NOT’ specifies a term must not appear in the results, e.g:
accounting NOT forensic
• When searching for phrases, enclose using: “ ….. ” , e.g:
“forensic accounting”
“behavioural economics”
5. Where do you start looking?
Databases
Library Catalogue
Google
6. Search Tools – the contents
Catalogue
Books, eBooks, chapters
Journals and conferences
Standards (International)
DVDs, CDs
Selected websites
Selected reports
Databases
Journal articles
Conference papers
Newspaper and trade magazines
Professional membership resources
Online reference and statistics
Company reports
Google
Professional association resources
Government sites and reports
Company information
7. Google- Tips
• Use advanced search
– Limit to file types and domains
– Use phrase searching
• Use Google Scholar
– Set up access full-text at QUT
• Consider other search engines
8. Library Catalogue Tips
• Start with keyword searching
• Use items records to identify subject
headings
– Use Subject Headings to focus your search
• Use Advanced Search
– Limit item types
• Use Journal Title search to locate full text
9. Databases to consider
• Use the Library Database guides to help
you
• EIU Country Data
• Informit
• Proquest
• EbscoHOST
• Informaworld
• Emerald
• Tip: If you know a key journal in your field identify which database it is in
and search that database – often you will find similar journals in the same
database
10. Databases
• Use the database guide
• Research is interdisciplinary – think
outside of the box
• Do not limit yourself to full text only
• Use limiters and controlled vocabulary to
focus your search
11. Too much or too little?
• Too Much Information
– Is your topic too broad?
– Narrow your topic using more specific terms
– Use AND
– Use date limiters / search limiters
• Not enough information
– Is your search too specific?
– Check your spelling!
– Use TRUNCATION and OR operators
– Are you looking in the right place
– Maybe there isn’t much on the topic
12. Some final notes
• Think before you start – concept map / brain storm
• Start with the catalogue – database – internet (or at least
use all of the tools)
• Develop a search strategy and be prepared to change it!
• Record all the details of all your references as you go
– You will need this information for your in text citations and
reference lists
• Remember one useful book / article leads to others
– References (back in time)
– Cited By (forward in time)
Notas do Editor
Library Catalogue
Do Keyword search
Show Phrase limiting or truncation
Show advanced search – file type
Show Journal Title Search
Mention eBooks
Recapping: you now have a variety of tools / strategies you can use in your searching
What if your search isn’t working? Too likely scenarios you are getting too much information without enough focus (your search is too broad) or you don’t get enough or even any results. If there are no results I am suspicious and suspect that my spelling may be incorrect or that ther is an issue with the platform