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Library Databases Search Strategies
To retrieve the most relevant references from a search it is necessary
to plan your "search strategy" before
searching a database.
There are four important steps to follow:
1.
DEFINE YOUR TOPIC (write out one or two sentences).
2.
CHOOSE KEYWORDS (list single words in preference to phrases).
3.
GROUP LIKE KEYWORDS TOGETHER .
4.
DECIDE HOW GROUPS OF KEYWORDS ARE RELATED.
1. TOPIC:
"Which colors give the best visibility when used on bicycle safety
equipment, in particular safety helmets and clothing."
2. CHOOSE YOUR KEYWORDS (can use a print or database subject
thesaurus):
bicycle safety colour
helmet clothing visibility
3. REGROUP:
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bicycle(s)
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visibility
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color(s)
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safety
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cycling
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visible
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color*
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helmet*
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cyclist(s)
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conspicuous
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clothing
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Note that plural forms (*) of keywords should be considered as in the
example above both helmet and helmets. As many of the databases use American
spelling you also need to consider the English and American spelling
(variant spelling), for example colour (English) and color (American).
4. COMBINE (Try different searches depending on the results you get.)
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