DEVELOPING A

SEARCH STRATEGY

Before starting to search using any electronic database, be it the library online catalogue (IPAC), indexes and abstracts or the Internet, it is important to spend some time thinking about your information needs. This is known as developing a "search strategy" and if done systematically it will significantly improve your chances of finding relevant information. 

Developing a Search Strategy for Finding the Information you

Need

Points to consider as you begin your research include these:

What do I need to know about this topic?

Does it involve researching people, places, events, or a particular time in history?

How current must my information be?

Do I need facts and statistics?

Do I need a general overview of my subject, or a lot of detail?

Do I need to find out both sides of an argument?

Is my topic controversial or still being explored? Will there be differing viewpoints in different sources?