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Information Retrieval Skills
The information
that you need
Library
Catalogues
Google
Databases

Information retrieval for research
• It is important that you develop effective information retrieval skills
so that you can:
– Get perspective on a topic
– Identify information and ideas relevant to your work
– Avoid reinventing the wheel
– Increase your knowledge of a subject area
– Provide intellectual content for your own work
– Complete a successful search for a literature review

Planning for your search
1. Reflect on your information needs before you start
2. Identify key concepts from your assignment requirements
 Background reading & viewing, brainstorm with peers, concept map
3. Identify synonyms, related terms, alternative spelling and abbreviations
4. Determine search limits such as date, geography
5. Determine appropriate types of sources of information you need (journal
articles, books, reports, statistics, conference proceedings)
6. Determine best search tools (Database(s), Library Catalogue, Google)

Search Strategies and Tips
• Using ‘AND’ narrows a search: results must include both terms, e.g:
 Inflation AND “developing countries”
• Using ‘OR’ broadens a search: results can include either term, e.g:
 planning OR management
 benefits OR strengths OR advantages
 GFC OR “global financial crisis”
• Using ‘NOT’ specifies a term must not appear in the results, e.g:
 accounting NOT forensic
• When searching for phrases, enclose using: “ ….. ” , e.g:
 “forensic accounting”
 “behavioural economics”

Where do you start looking?
Databases
Library Catalogue
Google

Search Tools – the contents
Catalogue
 Books, eBooks, chapters
 Journals and conferences
 Standards (International)
 DVDs, CDs
 Selected websites
 Selected reports
Databases
 Journal articles
 Conference papers
 Newspaper and trade magazines
 Professional membership resources
 Online reference and statistics
 Company reports
Google
 Professional association resources
 Government sites and reports
 Company information

Google- Tips
• Use advanced search
– Limit to file types and domains
– Use phrase searching
• Use Google Scholar
– Set up access full-text at QUT
• Consider other search engines

Library Catalogue Tips
• Start with keyword searching
• Use items records to identify subject
headings
– Use Subject Headings to focus your search
• Use Advanced Search
– Limit item types
• Use Journal Title search to locate full text

Databases to consider
• Use the Library Database guides to help
you
• EIU Country Data
• Informit
• Proquest
• EbscoHOST
• Informaworld
• Emerald
• Tip: If you know a key journal in your field identify which database it is in
and search that database – often you will find similar journals in the same
database

Databases
• Use the database guide
• Research is interdisciplinary – think
outside of the box
• Do not limit yourself to full text only
• Use limiters and controlled vocabulary to
focus your search

Too much or too little?
• Too Much Information
– Is your topic too broad?
– Narrow your topic using more specific terms
– Use AND
– Use date limiters / search limiters
• Not enough information
– Is your search too specific?
– Check your spelling!
– Use TRUNCATION and OR operators
– Are you looking in the right place
– Maybe there isn’t much on the topic

Some final notes
• Think before you start – concept map / brain storm
• Start with the catalogue – database – internet (or at least
use all of the tools)
• Develop a search strategy and be prepared to change it!
• Record all the details of all your references as you go
– You will need this information for your in text citations and
reference lists
• Remember one useful book / article leads to others
– References (back in time)
– Cited By (forward in time)

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