This document provides an overview of search strategies, techniques, and tools for research. It covers developing effective search terms using concept mapping, choosing appropriate databases, using Boolean operators and search fields, citation management tools like RefWorks, and avoiding plagiarism through proper citation of sources. Tips are given for searching subject headings, evaluating search results, and refining searches through an iterative process.

1. Writing
2131
Search Tips, Tricks &
Techniques
Nazi Torabi
Health Science Librarian
The Allyn & Betty Taylor Library
http://www.slideshare.net/ntorabi
October 24, 2011

2. Learning Outcomes
• Create and different different search strategies
• Find appropriate databases for subject
searching using program guides
• Avoid plagiarism by correct citation and
paraphrasing (Next Optional Session)
• Create a properly formatted bibliography (Next
Optional Session)

3. Ideas
• Expertanswer (2010, June
16). Women who choose
boiled coffee run lower risk
of breast cancer.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved
October 20, 2010, from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/rel
eases/2010/06/100615151255.ht
m
Image by Mark Prince from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linea_doubleespresso.jpg

4. Search Strategies
• Pearl methodology framework to expand on
keywords you are using (Sandieson, 2006)
• Subject headings searching
• Citation tracking
o Backward tracking
o Forward tracking
• Hand searching
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5. Structured Search Methodology
1. Have a research topic in the form of
question
2. Isolate the concepts
3. Search concepts separately (Using OR)
4. Combine concept sets (Using AND)
5. Evaluate results and refine
6. Apply limits if necessary
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6. The Question
Does coffee consumption prevent breast cancer?
Concepts
Coffee
Breast Cancer
Prevention

7. Search Strategy
Let’s search for
Coffee AND Breast Cancer AND Prevention

8. Search Strategy
Coffee AND Breast Cancer AND Prevention
What is wrong with this search?!

9. Concept Map
Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3 Concept 4 Concept 5
Coffee Breast cancer Prevention
Caffeine Breast Neoplasms “risk factors”
Antioxidant “Mammary Benefits
beverages Neoplasm ”
tea “Breast Tumor”
“Breast Tumour “
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10. Search Strategy
#1 Coffee OR Caffeine
#2 Breast Cancer OR Breast Neoplasms OR Mammary
Neoplasms OR Breast Tumor OR Breast Tumour
#3 Prevention OR Risk factor
#1 AND #2 AND #3

11. More on Boolean searching:
http://youtu.be/RkCJNdetsmI
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12. Multidisciplinary Databases
• Web of Science
• Scopus
• Academic Search Complete
• Google Scholar

13. Scopus

14. Web of Science

15. Concept Map
Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3 Concept 4 Concept 5
Coffee Breast cancer Prevention
Caffeine Breast Neoplasms “risk factors”
Antioxidant “Mammary Benefits
beverages Neoplasm ”
tea “Breast Tumor”
“Breast Tumour “
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16. Cited Reference
Baker JA, Beehler GP, Sawant AC, Jayaprakash V, McCann
SE, Moysich KB. (2006). Consumption of coffee, but not black
tea, is associated with decreased risk of premenopausal
breast cancer. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION 136 (1): 166-171
Q: How many times has this article been cited in WOS and
Google Scholar?

17. Storage & Electronic Document
Retrieval
Kubica, K. (1985). Computer simulation
studies on significance of lipid polar head
orientation. Computers and Chemistry,
9(4), 351-356

18. Subject Heading Searching
http://youtu.be/wlrZPaIDDwg

19. Your turn!
• Create a search chart for your topic. Jot down as
many keywords as you can think of in the Concept
Map working sheet .
• Find the “Program Guide” page that corresponds
with your topic.
• What are the listed databases? Read the
descriptions and pick one.
• Search on your topic.
http://www.lib.uwo.ca/programs/writingprogram/courses/writing2131fg.html

20. Citation Styles
•Council of Science Editors (CSE) Style
•American Psychological Association (APA) Style
http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/workscited/

21. Citing Sources
References (APA)
Goldsmith, M. R., Bankhead, C. R., & Austoker, J. (2007).
Synthesising quantitative and qualitative research in
evidence-based patient information. Journal of
Epidemiology & Community Health, 61(3), 262-270.
doi:10.1037/0002-9432.76.4.482
References (CSE)
Goldsmith MR, Bankhead CR, Austoker J. 2007. Synthesising
quantitative and qualitative research in evidence-based
patient information. J Epidemiol Community Health
61(3):262-70.

22. In-Text Citation
Depending on the number of authors and the source
type, in-text citation various.
e.g. (Goldsmith et al. 2007) for both APA and CSE

23. Council of Science Editors Manual
Scientific style and format : the CSE manual for
authors, editors, and publishers / Style Manual
Committee, Council of Science Editors.
At Taylor Service Desk. On 2 hrs reserve.
Call # QH304.C68 2006

24. What is RefWorks?
• Personal bibliographic citation managers
• Save citations as you search
• Organize your research, Include citations while
you write your paper
• Import references from many data sources
including databases, the UWO catalogue, even
from web pages
• Create bibliographies
• Share citations with friends, colleagues,
students, etc.

25. RefWorks off campus access
1) Visit www.lib.uwo.ca
2) Login to off-Campus Access (connect to proxy)
3) Then, sign into RefWorks
1
2

26. Online Help for RefWorks
• Taylor Support for RefWorks
• RefWorks Help

27. Summary
• Choosing the appropriate database(s) is as important
as creating a good search strategy
• Brainstorm and/or use a thesaurus to find the best
terms
• Proper use of truncation/wildcards as well as Boolean
operators, and parentheses where necessary, will
create the best searches

28. Thank You for Your Attention!
Need library help. Please feel free to contact:
Nazi Torabi Weldon Service Desk
519-661-2111 ext 88992 519-661-3162
ntorabi@uwo.ca dbwlib@uwo.ca
IM a librarian Taylor Service Desk
https://www.lib.uwo.ca/chat/ 519-661-3168
tayref@uwo.ca
Chat Available From your program Guide page
Feedback for online video tutorials
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/taylortutorials
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