1. Choose your
topic The first stage
of any information search is to know what you are looking for.
This sounds easy, but many people starting on a project
experience difficulty in both deciding on the topic and defining
the true information needs.
If you have a relatively wide
field of choice, think about weighing probable topics against :
a) criteria of personal
interest
b) information available
c) possibility of good
supervision
d) time available for the task
You might want to do a
quick preliminary search to get an idea of the scope of the
subject to see if you think it will make a viable topic.
Having chosen your topic go on
to formulate your search question.
Start by analysing
the search question into its component aspects.
Make a list of all the words
you can use to describe your topic - these are generally called
keywords.
How are these keywords related
?
Do you need to include synonyms,
broader or narrower terms ?
Are there alternative
spellings ?
Do you need to include singular
and plural words ?
Depending on your goal some types of resources will be more appropriate than others.
You may need to look for background information, use sources such as encyclopaedias, textbooks, research reviews.
Besides the above sources, you will need to look at some journals for more recently published work.
You will need to carry out a thorough search of available information which may be found in journals, conference papers, theses & dissertations, reports, patents, translations and learned societies.
While you are working on a research project, you may need to know of new publications - journal articles and conference papers, such a search is usually described as a current awareness search.
Carry out the search using
the various search tools availible.
Look for the appropriate
searching way to suit your needs.
Evaluate the references you
find, for relevance to your task.
If necessary modify the search
strategy.