Tips for finding information

Information Retrieval Skills

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

Planning for your search
Reflect on your information needs before you start
Identify key concepts from your assignment requirements

Background reading & viewing, brainstorm with peers, concept map

Identify synonyms, related terms, alternative spelling and abbreviations
Determine search limits such as date, geography
Determine appropriate types of sources of information you need (journal articles, books, reports, statistics, conference proceedings)
Determine best search tools (Database(s), Library Catalogue, Google)

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 ORmanagement
benefits OR strengths OR advantages
GFC OR“global financial crisis”

Using ‘NOT’ specifies a term must not appear in the results, e.g:

accounting NOTforensic

When searching for phrases, enclose using: “….. ” , e.g:

“forensic accounting”
“behavioural economics”

Where do you start looking?
Databases
Library Catalogue
Google

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)