A. Search faster, search smarter (doing a structured search) (6:53 minutes)
The video Search faster, search smarter introduces you to strategies that can help you create a structured search. As you watch this video, think about how to use keywords or concepts to create search terms when doing research.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this video, you will be able to:
- Define a structured search
- Recognize how And and OR can help you find relevant materials for your research by structuring your search.
Make a prediction before watching the video
- A structured search is the same as a Google search (yes or no).
- Using terms such as AND and OR are built into many databases (yes or no).
B. Practice activity: Plan a structured search
Sometimes it can be challenging to plan a structured search. It may be difficult to identify appropriate synonyms and to learn the proper “syntax” or approach to combining them in database search fields.
But practice makes perfect. Use this worksheet to plan your structured search by writing out your research topic and identifying your key ideas. (Hint: this handout will make even more sense when you finish the next module.)
C. Summary
Revisit your prediction after watching the video
- A structured search is the same as a Google search (yes or no).
- Using terms such as AND and OR are built into many databases (yes or no).
Structured searching takes a bit more time to go than a regular keyword search in a tool such as Google. You have to think about synonyms and how you are going to combine terms to get the best results. Now that you’ve watched this video, you can defined a structured search and you can understand how AND and OR can help you search more effectively.
D. Ask a librarian
You can email Martha if you have questions: martha.attridgebufton@carleton.ca.
