'Searching as Strategic Exploration'
Searching for information to support a piece of academic work is rarely a straightforward process. You will need to be flexible, use a variety of sources and be willing to adapt your search strategies as your understanding of your research topic evolves. Choosing your search approach thoughtfully and considering the scope and context of your information needs is key; remember that what proves useful in one discipline may be less relevant in another.
Bear in mind that databases and search engines operate with specific rules and structures, and understanding this can significantly improve your search results. The same attention to clarity and relevant prompts should be applied when you are using AI tools.
Note: Before integrating AI into your academic work, be sure to check with your course coordinator or department for guidance on its appropriate use.
Select appropriate tools based on your research needs
Resources depend on the type of information you’re looking for:
- Books: use Primo and subscribed sites (Ebook Central, Springer, ScienceDirect etc.)
- Journal articles: academic databases
- Technical standards: BSOL database, IEEE Xplore, Google
- Reports and commercial/trade information: search engines
All search tools have search rules; apply them correctly for best results. Remember to evaluate what you find. Keep track of your sources as you will need them for referencing.
Useful resources:
Good practice in developing your information skills
- Resources in your area
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Familiarise yourself with available resources in your area such as databases, organisations, governments, and industries who might produce information about the topic you are interested in, or through whom you may be able to find relevant information. Then determine how to access that information.
Useful resources:
- Different resources present information differently
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Be aware that depending on the resource you are using, information may be presented differently, the language may vary, and sources may be written for different audiences. Use this concept in conjunction with 'Authority is Constructed' - see relevant Library Guide.
Tips:
Expect that (often) first search attempts may not produce good results.
Possible research outcomes
You will never get the perfect search the first time around. Good searching isn’t just typing keywords into Google or a library database. It’s about being strategic:
Searching may start as an attempt to find the right keywords to get the one correct result. If you don’t find what you need immediately, you might think you’re doing it wrong.
Through perseverance, you realise that the search process is iterative: you try different terms, learn from what you find (or don’t find), ask better questions, and even change direction.
Eleni Borompoka, July 2025