MODULE 3: EFFECTIVE SEARCH STRATEGIES, TECHINQUES AND STUDY

SKILLS
INTRODUCTION
Information has emerged as the most crucial resource in our daily existence. Increasingly, people
are hurrying to the Internet to find information. They assume that they need no training to search
the Internet with the belief that technology does all the work. However, in an era, characterized
by information overload, and technological advancements, acquiring the skills to efficiently
search for information and effectively utilize it is essential. In fact, a little time spent formulating
a search strategy will save both users time and provide them with greatly improved results.
DEFINITION OF SEARCH STRATEGY
A search strategy in information literacy is a planned and systematic approach to finding
information, involving defining your research topic and identifying key concepts, brainstorming
keywords related to those concepts including selecting appropriate search terms (synonyms,
broader and narrower terms), and choosing relevant databases or search tools, planning how to
combine search terms (e.g., using Boolean operators), and documenting your search process and
results. It's a crucial skill for effective research. Search strategies ensure comprehensive and
efficient search, thereby maximizing the chances of finding the most relevant and accurate
information.
IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE SEARCH STARTEGY
The importance of a strong search strategy is detailed as follows:
1. SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH:
 Literature Reviews:
Effective search strategies are essential for conducting thorough literature reviews, ensuring
that you have access to all relevant research on your topic.
 Research Papers:
A well-defined search strategy is crucial for gathering evidence and building a strong
foundation for research papers and publications.
2. FOCUS AND EFFICIENCY:
 Targeted Information:
A well-defined search strategy helps narrow down the search, focusing on relevant
information and avoiding irrelevant results. This saves time and effort by eliminating the
need to sift through vast amounts of irrelevant data.
 Time Management:
By planning your search in advance, you can allocate a realistic amount of time for the
research process and stay organized, preventing information overload.
 Reduced Frustration:
A good search strategy minimizes frustration by streamlining the search process and making
it easier to find the information you need.
3. QUALITY AND RELIABILITY:
 Credible Sources:
A strong search strategy helps identify and utilize reputable sources like peer-reviewed
journals, ensuring the information is accurate and trustworthy.
 Comprehensive Understanding:
By utilizing various search techniques and databases, you can ensure a well-rounded
understanding of your research topic, considering diverse perspectives and findings.
 Reproducibility:
Explicit reporting of your search strategy in research papers allows others to replicate your
search, validating your findings and building upon your work.
4. ACCURACY AND PRECISION:
 Accurate Results:
An effective search strategy ensures that your search terms are properly combined,
maximizing the retrieval of relevant records and minimizing irrelevant results.
 Specific Information:
By using various search techniques like keywords, phrases, and subject headings, you can
pinpoint the specific information you need.
 Reduced Bias:
A comprehensive search strategy helps avoid bias by ensuring that all relevant studies are
identified, rather than focusing on a limited selection. .
NOTE: Developing a strong search strategy is crucial for anyone conducting research, ensuring
efficient, accurate, and reliable information retrieval. It allows you to focus your efforts, identify
quality sources, and build a solid foundation for your research or academic work.

SEARCH TECHINQUES
Search techniques are specific methods and tools used to refine and improve search results. Its
purpose is to narrow down search results, increase accuracy, and find specific information
efficiently. So, one can think of a search strategy as the plan of a search process and search
techniques as the tools used in carrying out that search.
DIFFERENT SEARCH TECHNIQUES
Different techniques for databases, catalogue, and Internet searches include:
 Keyword Searching
 Subject Searching
 Phrase Searching
 Truncation and Wildcard Searching
 Boolean Operators
(A). KEYWORD SEARCHING
Keyword search is the process of matching words or phrases that connect a topic to a result.
Search can be broad and include individual words or a phrase. This is also known as search
queries. Keywords are the words and phrases that people type into search engines to find what
they're looking for.
EXAMPLES OF KEYWORD SEARCHING
If you were searching to buy a new jacket, you might type something like “men’s leather jacket”
into Google; if you're looking for information about cats, you could use keywords like "feline,"
"domestic cat," or "kitten".
(B). SUBJECT SEARCHING
A subject search is more specific than a keyword search: it looks in only one field of each record
– the subject field. Most academic libraries use Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
for Subject Search of their online catalogues. Many databases use subject headings that are
unique to that database. Subject searching involves using specific vocabulary, often referred to as
"controlled vocabulary", within a database. This controlled vocabulary allows for consistency of
terms across the database. Most databases contain a controlled vocabulary index of standardized,
pre-defined terms used to describe concepts and categorize articles based on their content or
subject. These controlled vocabulary indexes can also be referred to as Subjects, Subject
Headings, Subject Terms, Descriptors, Thesaurus, or Index terms. Subject searching is precise
and uses higher order language and scientific terminology. Subject searching within a database
will result in fewer, more relevant search results
KEYWORD VS SUBJECT SEARCHING

Keywords Subjects

Natural (conversational) language Pre-defined, higher order terminology

Searches for your search terms (keywords) in the Only searches the subject or descriptor field in a
database record including database record
title, abstract, full-text of an article etc.

Results may or may not be relevant to your topic Results usually relevant to your topic

Broadens your search providing more results Narrows your search providing fewer results

Flexible - searches newer or distinctive terms Less Flexible – searches only available, pre-defined
and acronyms with no defined subject heading subject headings

Examples: Examples:
Dogs Canines
Skin Cancer Skin Neoplasms
High Blood Pressure Hypertension
Sleeplessness Insomina
 To retrieve the best search results when searching library databases, use a
combination of both keywords and subject terms.
(C). PHRASE SEARCHING
Phrase searching is a search technique that retrieves results where a specific sequence of words
appears together as a phrase, not just as individual words. This is typically done by enclosing the
phrase in quotation marks, which tells the search engine to find that exact combination of words.
Example: If you are searching for "artificial intelligence" (with quotes) will return results where
those two words appear together, unlike searching for just artificial intelligence (without quotes),
which would return results containing both words, but not necessarily together.
(D). USING TRUNCATED AND WILDCARD SEARCHES
 TRUNCATION
Truncation, also known as stemming, is a search technique used in databases and search engines
to broaden search results by including various word endings and spellings. It involves shortening
a search term to its root and adding a truncation symbol, usually an asterisk (*), to retrieve all
variations of the word.
Example: If you search for information using the root Psych*, it might return the following
result: Psychology, Psychological, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Psychiatry. This means that the
database will then search for all variations of "psych" with different endings. Using truncation
will help you complete your search faster because you will not have to manually type in and
search every variation of the word.
 WIDECARD SYMBOLS
Wildcard searching is a technique used in search queries to broaden results by using special
characters (wildcards) to represent unknown characters or patterns within a search term. This
allows users to find variations of a word or terms with missing characters, improving search
flexibility. Common wildcards include the asterisk (*) and the question mark (?), but different
databases and search engines may use others.
Examples:
Asterisk (*)
Typically represents zero or more characters. For example, searching for "color*" might return
results like "color", "colored", "coloring", and "colour".
Question Mark (?):
Usually represents a single character. For example, searching for "wom?n" might return
"woman" and "women".
Wildcard searches are helpful when you:
 Don't know the exact spelling of a word. (e.g. Stationery/stationary: The two words are
easily confused, especially because of their similar pronunciation; Accommodate: The
double "c" and double "m" can be easily missed; Conscientious: The "tious" ending and the
silent "s" make it a challenge.
 Want to find variations of a word (e.g., plurals, past tense). (e.g., man/men, woman/women,
child/children, mouse/mice, foot/feet, goose/geese); (walk/walked, play/played)
 Are searching for terms with missing or unknown characters. (e.g. *hoe (S), p*int (a),
b*ight (r)).
 Want to find terms that start, end, or contain a specific sequence of characters. Examples:
Starting with a sequence:
^apple: matches strings like "apple pie", "apple juice", but not "a green apple".
Ending with a sequence:
orange$: Matches "a juicy orange", but not "orange juice".
Containing a sequence:
.*World.*: Matches any string that contains "World", like "Hello World", "World War II",
"The world is round".
(E). BOOLEAN SEARCHING
What is Boolean Searching?
 Boolean searching is based on a method of logic developed by George Boole, a 19 th C
English Mathematician
 The power of Boolean searching is based on combination of keywords with connecting
terms called “Operators”
 Allows you to broaden your search
 Allows you to narrow your search
 Most online databases and Internet search engines support Boolean searches
 Allows you to do effective searches by cutting out many unrelated documents
BASIC BOOLEAN LOGICAL OPERATORS
 AND
 OR
 NOT
You can use keywords in a variety of ways to refine your search. A and B stand for keywords or
phrases. The words “AND”, “OR”, and “NOT” are called “logical operators”.
“AND”
o Using AND narrows your search
o It retrieves documents that contain BOTH search terms OR keywords that you specify
o The more terms you connect with AND, the fewer search results you will find.
EXAMPLE USING “AND”:
o Globalization and Human Rights
o Poverty and Crime
o Documents are retrieved containing both search terms
“OR”
o Using “OR” broadens your search
o It retrieves documents that contain either of the search terms or keywords that you specify
but not necessarily both
o The more terms you connect with OR, the more search results you will find (Remember OR
gives you more!!)
o Use it to search for similar terms
EXAMPLE USING “OR”:
o Globalization or Human Rights
o College or University
o Documents are retrieved containing either search term
“NOT”
o Using NOT narrows your search
o It retrieves documents that do not contain a search term from your search
o Use NOT to exclude a term from your search and to find fewer results

EXAMPLES USING “NOT”:

o Globalization not Human Rights
o Cats NOT Dogs
o Documents are retrieved containing only information on cats, and nothing on dogs
Using diagrammatic expressions, the terms “Globalization” and “Human Rights” are used for
further illustrations:

Using the Boolean Operator “AND” will narrow your search results. In this case, using AND
will retrieve search results containing both keywords Globalization and Human Rights.
Using the Boolean Operator “OR” will broaden your search results. In this case, using OR will
retrieve search results containing either the keywords Globalization or Human Rights.
Using the Boolean Operator “NOT” will narrow your search results. In this case, using NOT will
retrieve search results containing the keyword Globalization but will not retrieve search results
containing the keyword Human Rights.

ADVANCED BOOLEAN SEARCH TECHINQUES

“QUOTATION MARKS”
o Using quotation marks narrows your search
o It requires words to be searched as a phrase in the exact order that you type them with the
quotation mark
o Used for searching multiple-word terms, places, or a person’s name you specify
EXAMPLES
o “Global warming”
o “New York City”
o “Donald Trump”
NOTE: Using “Quotation Marks” will give you different search results than when you use the
AND operator between each word without quotes
PARENTHESES
o () allows you to combine any of the Boolean operators together
o Use NOT and OR to limit your search
o Use NOT and AND together to expand your search
o Using () allows you to combine two possible searches into one, and it saves your time

EXAMPLE USING ()
“Alternative Energy” NOT (Wind OR Solar)
o Using this search string would allow you to find documents about alternative energy, but not
solar or wind methods- it would only give you other methods.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH BOOLEAN OPERATORS TO USE?

 AND
 OR
 NOT
 “ “
 ( )
SAMPLE QUESTION #1

“I want to find information about Cloning Humans”

To find information on this topic, you can try different search strings. Here are two possibilities:
Cloning AND Humans
“human cloning”
SAMPLE QUESTION #2
“I want to find information about either Brad Pitt or his wife, Angelina Jolie”
Suggested search: “Brad Pitt” OR “Angelina Jolie”
SAMPLE QUESTION #3
“I want to find information about Mummies, but not Mummies in Egypt”
Suggested search: Mummies NOT Egypt
SAMPLE QUESTION #4
“I want to find information about Behaviours in Cats”
Consider: Is there more than one search term we could use to search for cat-related information?
Possible search: Behaviour AND (cats OR felines)
SAMPLE QUESTION #5
“I want to find information on designing websites, but not on specific web design software
program”
Consider: Which software program helps you create websites?
Possible searches: “website design” NOT (Dreamweaver OR Front Page)
Website design NOT software
When searching library databases, you have the option to use both keywords and subject terms.
(E). CITATION SEARCHING
Citation searching is a method used to find articles that have been cited by other publications.
Use citation searching (or cited reference searching) to:
 find out whether articles have been cited by other authors
  find more recent papers on the same or similar subject
 discover how a known idea or innovation has been confirmed, applied, improved,
extended, or corrected
 help make your literature review more comprehensive.
You can use cited reference searching in:
 OvidSP databases
 Google Scholar
 Web of Science
 Scopus
Cited reference searching can complement your literature search. However, be careful not to just
look at papers that have been cited in isolation. A robust literature search is also needed to limit
publication bias.

(F). FILTERS
Search filters are tools or features that allow users to narrow down search results based on
specific attributes or criteria. They help in refining a search by selecting parameters like price
range, brand, color, size, or other relevant attributes. They act like a sieve, helping to sift through
a large amount of information and focus on what's most pertinent. Filters can be used on online
platforms, websites, or search engines to customize results. For example, if you are looking for
shoes and apply the filter "Zara," you will see only results related to Zara shoes. For databases
like EBSCOhost, EBSCOhost search filters are primarily based on publication type, document
type, subject, publisher, publication, language, and geography. Additionally, filters can be
applied based on factors like peer review status, full text availability, and publication date.
Examples of search filters in EBSCOHost database are based on:
 Full text: Limit results to items with full text available online.
 Peer reviewed: Filter for peer-reviewed articles
 Time (period) – past 12 months, past 5years, past 10 years, custom
 Source type – This aspect captures publication types (e.g., journals, books, magazines,
reviews, ebooks, news) and document types (e.g., articles, reports).
 Language: Language of the publication
 Publisher: Filter by the publisher of the source material
 Publication: Limit results to specific publications.
 Geography: Filter by the geographical area associated with the publication
 Publication date: Filter results by a specific date range or period
Benefits of Using Search Filters:
 Improved Efficiency: Filters save time by quickly narrowing down search results.
 Enhanced Relevance: They ensure that the displayed results are more relevant to the
user's specific needs.
 Simplified Navigation: Filters enable the exploration of large datasets or product
catalogs by organizing them into more manageable categories.
Search filters are common on websites, e-commerce platforms, search engines, and in
specialized databases. In short, search filters are a valuable tool for navigating the vast amount
of information available online and finding exactly what you're looking for.
B. STUDY SKILLS
Study skills are the techniques and strategies that help individuals learn and retain information
effectively. They encompass a range of abilities, including time management, note-taking, active
reading, and test-taking and many more strategies. Essentially, study skills are the tools students
use to succeed in their academic pursuits.
WHY ARE STUDY SKILLS IMPORTANT?
Study skills help students to:
 Learn more efficiently
 Retain information longer
 Reduce stress and anxiety
 Perform better in tests, exams, and assignments
 Develop a proactive learning mindset
Key Study Skills to Master
a. Time Management
Good time management allows students to plan their study sessions and balance homework,
extracurricular activities, and personal time. Key strategies include:
 Using a Planner. Write down all assignments, tests, and deadlines to stay organized.
 Setting Priorities. Focus on the most important tasks first and break large projects into
smaller steps.
 Creating a Study Schedule. Dedicate specific time slots for studying each day and stick
to the routine.
b. Active Reading
Active reading is more than just going through the material. It’s about engaging with the
text to improve comprehension. Some active reading techniques include:
 Highlighting Key Points. Focus on important facts or concepts while reading.
 Summarizing. Write short summaries in your own words to reinforce understanding.
 Asking Questions. Pose questions as you read to stay engaged and critically think about
the material.
c. Note-Taking
Effective notetaking helps students retain information and is an essential study tool. Some
popular methods are:
 The Cornell Method. Divide the page into sections for notes, key points, and
summaries.
 Mind Mapping. Visual diagrams represent ideas and concepts, which are perfect for
visual learners.
 Bullet Points and Lists. Simple and quick, making it easier to review key concepts.
d. Test Preparation
Preparing for exams requires a strategic approach to studying. Some tips include:
 Practice Tests. Simulate test conditions to familiarize yourself with the format and types
of questions.
 Reviewing Notes Regularly. Instead of cramming, go over notes consistently.
  Study Groups. Collaborating with peers can help clarify confusing topics and make
studying more interactive.
e. Memory Techniques
Memory plays a crucial role in retaining information. Try techniques such as:
 Mnemonics. Create acronyms or phrases to remember lists or processes.
 Chunking. Break down information into smaller, manageable pieces.
 Visualization. Create mental images of concepts to aid memory.
i. HOW TO BUILD BETTER STUDY SKILLS
a. Set Clear Goals
Clear goals are crucial for students to stay focused and motivated. By defining specific
objectives, students have a clear direction to guide their efforts. Whether the aim is to
improve grades or gain mastery of a new subject, setting goals using the SMART framework
—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—ensures they are realistic
and attainable.
b. Creating a Productive Study Environment
Creating a productive study environment is another key factor in building good study habits.
A quiet, organized space, free from distractions like phones or social media, allows for
better concentration and focus. Having all necessary materials within reach, ensuring proper
lighting, and comfortable seating all contribute to a more effective study session.
c. Practice Active Learning
Practicing active learning encourages deeper engagement with the material. Instead of
passively absorbing information, students can boost their understanding by explaining
concepts to others, reinforcing their knowledge. Self-quizzing is another active learning
technique that helps students evaluate their retention of information. Additionally, using
flashcards for quick reviews allows for frequent, focused repetition, strengthening memory
and recall.
ii. Overcome Common Study Challenges
a. Procrastination
Procrastination is a common challenge for many students, often leading to delayed tasks and
last-minute stress. To combat procrastination, students should break tasks into smaller, more
manageable steps. By setting short, achievable deadlines, they can maintain steady progress
and stay on track. Additionally, rewarding themselves after completing each step can
provide positive reinforcement and motivation to continue.
b. Lack of Motivation
Another challenge is a lack of motivation, especially during lengthy or repetitive study
sessions. Students should take regular breaks to prevent burnout and maintain enthusiasm,
allowing their minds to recharge. Mixing study techniques—such as switching between
reading, writing, and discussing material—can keep things fresh and engaging. Students
must remember their long-term goals, recognizing that their current efforts contribute to
those achievements.
c. Test Anxiety
Test anxiety can hinder performance, but students can alleviate this stress through proper
preparation. A well-organized study plan ensures that they feel confident and ready.
Incorporating relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises, helps manage anxiety in
the moment. Finally, visualizing success and maintaining a positive mindset can empower
students to approach exams with greater confidence and ease.
iii. Evaluating Information
A major part of the research/study process includes evaluating the sources of information you
locate in your searches. In other words, this step includes searching for relevant information
sources and deciding whether to keep and include those sources for your research or discard
them in favour of newer, more reliable, higher quality sources. In fact, the Association of
College & Research Libraries (ACRL) has determined this to be a crucial stage in developing
information literacy skills in their Framework for Information Literacy for Higher
Education: “Learners who are developing their information literate abilities critically evaluate
contributions made by others in participatory information environments.”

a. Evaluating Criteria
While other schools, universities, and libraries may present slight variations or additions,
generally it is agreed that the basic components of evaluation criteria include the following:
 Currency- What is the publication date? Is the date relevant for the subject area/topic? Is
it too old? Could a more recently published source provide new and/or different
information?
 Authority & Credentials – Who is the author and/or publisher? Is the author/publisher
reputable or have an established reputation in the discipline and/or field? Does the
author/publisher have specific expertise or knowledge to publish on this topic?
 Accuracy & Reliability – Is the information or research accurate or valid? Can the same
or similar information be verified by other sources?
 Audience – Who is the intended audience for the information? Is it written for a general
readership, such as an article in a newspaper or magazine (popular sources)? Is it written
for people who work in a specific industry (trade publications)? Is it written for a
scholarly/academic audience (scholarly sources)?
 Bias – Does the information express a specific point of view or opinion? Is the
information written by an organization that supports a stated agenda? Is it based on
factual evidence from research or experiment? Does the point of view affect the accuracy
or reliability of the information?
b. Determining Bias, Fact or Opinion
Consider the following when evaluating a source for bias:
 Does the resource use selective facts or does it omit facts or statistics? Factual writing
will often rely heavily on statistical evidence.
 Does the resource use language that appeals only to emotion? Does the writing include
many exclamation points or all caps?
 Does the resource promote a particular political, religious, or social agenda from one
point of view? Is the author or publication sponsored by an organization that promotes a
specific agenda?
c. Types of Information Resources
Be sure to determine what types of information resources are required for your research needs.
Review your assignment or research criteria:
  Are you required to use original/primary research articles or is it acceptable to cite
secondary articles that summarize or discuss research findings?
 Do you need scholarly journal articles? Must those articles be from peer-reviewed
journals?
 Is it acceptable to use magazine or newspaper articles?
d. Evaluating Websites
Evaluating websites is, in many ways, very similar to evaluating traditional sources of
information like books, journal articles, etc. However, because anyone can create a website, you
will need to be more critical in your evaluation. Additionally, there are also special
considerations, such as checking the website domain.
The internet has made it possible for anyone to publish web pages. Most websites have not
undergone a review process for inclusion in a collection, whereas the resources in the library’s
subscription databases have. For these reasons, you should closely evaluate any Internet
resources you find to ensure they contain balanced information. Reliable internet resources may
include peer reviewed journal articles, government reports, conference papers, industry and
professional standards, scientific papers, news reports, and quick facts and figures.
However, keep in mind that just because a website is well presented does not mean that it
contains accurate information. Here are some criteria you can look for in Internet resources to
determine whether they are reliable sources of information. By addressing the questions below,
you can determine if an Internet resource is a reliable source of information.
 Can you identify the author of an Internet resource? If so, what do you know about this
author's education, work history, affiliations, additional publications, etc.?
 Can you find the date the Internet resource was last updated or published?
 Does the Internet resource cite the work of others?
 Does the content of the resource seem balanced and scholarly, or is it biased?
 Who published Internet resources? Was the web page published by a business, university,
government organization, or professional association?
 What is the intended audience for the Internet resource? Is it appropriate for university
level research? Or is it geared toward secondary education or a more general audience?
 What is the domain of the Internet resource? If it ends in .org, .gov, or .edu it is more
likely to be a scholarly source. If it ends in .com or .net it is less likely to be a scholarly
source.

CONCLUSION
Effective search strategies are crucial for academic success and can be directly linked to
improved study skills. By mastering search techniques, students can efficiently gather relevant
information, enhancing their understanding and ability to learn. This connection is evident in
how search skills like identifying keywords, using Boolean logic, and evaluating
sources contribute to better note-taking, research, and overall academic performance.