This document provides guidance on developing effective information retrieval skills for research. It outlines the importance of such skills for gaining perspective on topics, avoiding duplicating work, and completing literature reviews. Tips are provided for planning searches, using different search strategies and operators, determining appropriate sources and search tools, and dealing with situations where there is too much or too little information found. The document emphasizes thinking before searching, using different library and online resources, and recording reference details as the search is conducted.

1. Information Retrieval Skills

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

6. pay OR salary OR remuneration

10. Journals and conferences

11. Standards (International)

12. DVDs, CDs

13. Selected websites

15. Conference papers

16. Newspaper and trade magazines

17. Professional membership resources

18. Online reference and statistics

20. Government sites and reports

22. Library Catalogue Tips Start with keyword searching Use item 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

23. Databases to consider Use the Library Database guides to help you ABI/Inform Global (via ProQuest) Business Source Elite (via EBSCOhost) Emerald Management Xtra PsycArticles (via EBSCOhost) ScienceDirect (Business, Management & Accounting ‘Subject Corner’) Wiley Interscience Workplace Info 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. Some final notes Think before you start – concept map / brainstorm Start with the catalogue – database – internet 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)