top of page
Information Searching Skills
1. Identify your key concepts

Information Seeking Strategies at Youtube

http://youtu.be/L2CRY_KWXAo 

 

2. Google Searching Skills

How to use the Google Search Engine more effectively at Youtube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6mvnMW_nnY

 

  1. Search with Keywords

After thinking about the topic area you are planning to search and deciding what keywords may be useful, it is also a good idea to find alternative search words.

 

Alternative search words can be found by:

  • Broadening your search results in order to try to find alternative search words for each key concept and idea. 

  • Using an online thesaurus or, alternatively, browsing the subject headings list of the database you are searching.

  • Doing a Google definition search (e.g. enter in the Google search box define body language or define communication)

 

Synonyms – “like” words

  • Firstly try using the most obvious search words. 

  • Then try to think of synonyms or “like” words that might also be used,

e.g.

Children – try also child, infants, toddlers, pre-school or “early years”

Change  – try also transitions, development, trends, emerging, shakeup, reform, modification, innovation, progress, etc.

Antonyms – “opposite” words

Occasionally you will find useful information by using search words that have opposite meanings,

e.g. safety might be found under risk, hazard, danger, etc.

Boolean Searching Basics at Youtube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMV7X3W_beg

 

(b) Boolean Operators

When you use and enter certain words into your keyword search known as Boolean operators, you are telling the computer exactly how to perform a search- one that can be tailored to your specific needs.

The most commonly used Boolean operators are: AND, OR, and NOT.

Tip: it is good practice to capitalize on search operators as some databases require this.

  • Use OR between search words to broaden your search by finding articles containing one or more words or phrases. This is the operator you will use most often.

  • Use AND in between search words to narrow your search by finding articles containing both words only. This operator tends to be the default operator for linking the search boxes together.

  • Use NOT to exclude words, e.g. autism NOT children --> find only the articles on autism that do not relate to children.

bottom of page