This document provides an overview of a library training session on search techniques and finding credible academic sources. It discusses using keywords and Boolean operators to search databases effectively. It also covers identifying reliable sources and provides tips for finding relevant information using academic databases and journals. Examples of search techniques covered include pearl growing searches and snowball searching to expand search results. Attendees are given exercises to practice applying the techniques to sample topics.

1. Library Training:
School of Accountancy
7 J U N E 2 0 1 9
PeplerHead
FacultyLibrarian:EconomicandManagementSciences
peplerh@sun.ac.za

2. In this session we’ll be looking at
Search techniques (Identify Keywords & use Boolean;
Quick& Easy Search Technique; Pearl Growing Search
Technique)
Finding credible academic sources
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3. Library Guides
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Find appropriate databases
on your specific library guide

4. CIMA Honours Tab
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Find appropriate databases
on your specific library guide

5. Step 1: Identify your keywords
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Write down your topic:
The influence of the internet on real estate agencies
Main Concepts:
internet
Real estate agencies

6. Step 2: Identify Synonyms
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Internet Real Estate Agencies
web Property agencies
Discuss the impact of genetically modified foods on
our health

7. Step 3: Combine Keywords
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Boolean Operators - AND / OR / NOT
AND – returns results with both keywords
OR – returns results with one or the other keyword
NOT – returns results excluding specific keywords

8. Step 3: Combine Keywords
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Boolean Operators - AND / OR / NOT

9. Step 3: Combine Keywords
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Boolean Operators - AND / OR / NOT
Quotation Marks “ ” – keep keywords together, for
exact phrase searching
Brackets ( ) – keep concepts together, used for
synonyms

10. Step 3: Combine Keywords
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Search phrase:
Internet AND “real estate agencies”

11. Exercise 1
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Identify the keywords for the below topic:
Is it true that economic growth makes the
rich richer and the poor poorer?

12. Exercise 1
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Keywords:
“economic growth”
“income inequality”
inequality

13. Exercise 1
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Keywords:
“economic growth”
AND
(“income inequality” OR Inequality)

14. Finding credible academic sources
Reliability:
From a reputable source/institution- publisher, University, Research Unit,
Company
Authority:
Creator is an expert in their field, and affiliated with a reputable institution
Validity :
The research was conducted in a manner that is commonly accepted in the
field, and is evident in the article
Accuracy:
The information can be verified
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15. Reliable internet sources
Any Website ending in:
.org; .gov; .edu; .ac
Official News sites like :
Moneyweb Business Day;
SA Statistics ; FNB; ABSA; Investec; SA Reserve
Bank; Finforum; Bankmonitor ; Eskom ,
Nationmaster….
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16. Good news
Using Academic Databases provided by the library will
assist you in finding relevant, credible information for your
assignments. Examples:
Google Scholar
Science Direct
SUN Search (Library Catalogue)
Emerald
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17. Scopus
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18. Scopus
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Select S from the A-Z
list and click Scopus

19. Scopus
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Search with
keywords
Select field
to search

20. Scopus
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Filter results
on the left
Expand the article
record by clicking
the title

21. Snowball searching
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Finding one article, and using it to find
other, similar articles.

22. Snowball searching
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Can be done in Databases like Scopus,
Web of Science & Google Scholar

23. Exercise 2
Search for articles on your specific topic on any of the
below databases
Google Scholar
Science Direct
Scopus
SUN Search (Library Catalogue)
Emerald
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24. Journals/Magazines
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25. Journals/Magazines
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Search
Journal/Magazine

26. Journals/Magazines
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See access details

27. Journals/Magazines
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Select specific database

28. Journals/Magazines
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Search within journal
Search
through
journal
issues

29. Journals/Magazines
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Search within journal
using keywords

30. Exercise 3
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Find the below article in the
MIT Sloan Management Review
Sandberg, R. and Werr, A. (2003) ‘The Three Challenges
of Corporate Consulting’, MIT Sloan Management
Review, 44(3), pp. 59–66

31. Thank you – Any Questions?
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