The document provides a 6-step process for developing an effective search strategy for research: 1. Define your research topic and identify key terms. 2. Consider alternative terms and word variations to broaden your search. 3. Link search terms together using Boolean operators like AND and OR. 4. Choose appropriate databases or indexes based on your topic. 5. Experiment with different search terms and limiters to refine results. 6. Evaluate results and determine if full text is available or items need to be requested.

1. Library and Information Services Planning your search strategy

2. Search strategy - summary Step one - Spend some time thinking about your topic Step two – Considering your search terms Step three - Linking your search terms together Step four - Choosing your databases Step five - Searching and modifying your search online Step six - Relevant results retrieved! Next steps

3. Step one Clarify and define your research question Break down search topic into sections Think of Keywords to describe the topic

4. Step two Think about the search words Generic words can be omitted eg: discuss, assess, importance Consider alternative terms eg: firms or businesses Alternative spellings: eg: organis/zation, behavio(u)r – organi*ation, behavio*r Word endings: truncate using asterisks eg: employ* for employer/ee/ment

5. Step three Linking search words together AND search – combining two different subjects together eg: retailing and marketing OR search – alternative words eg: workplace or organization Words as a phrase eg: “small business”

6. Step four Choosing your database Consider subject area Emerald Academic OneFile PsycINFO Marketline Mintel

7. Step five Searching and modifying online Different databases will use different search terms to describe same subject Experiment with different search words Limit to searching within different indexes eg: subject, title, author Limit to years of publication Limit to type of document eg: books, book chapters, journal articles, conference papers, reports.

8. Step six Relevant results retrieved! Is the item full text? – go direct to article, perhaps linking via e-journal finder Is it held in the Library? If not, articles and books can be requested on Interlibrary-loan.

9. Useful links on our webpages Business and Management subject page Off-campus access help Lists of journals Searching Emerald tutorial Searching Academic OneFile Searching tips and How to plan a search strategy Inter-library loans