Basic Search Steps
Basic searching uses the first 3 steps of the searching process: Define your topic, gather keywords, search. If you're just looking for a quick answer to a question or perhaps you don't need a ton of citations - basic searching can get you where you need to go. Let's break these steps down further:
- Define your topic: Give yourself a strong foundation
- Make sure you have a good understanding of what you're looking for, having a bad research question means you'll waste time trying to decide if a source fits your topic.
- Gather Keywords: synonyms, alternative spellings, outdated terms, etc.
- For basic searching you may not end up generating a lot of keywords - that's okay. Some queries just don't need it.
- If you do gather more than a few terms use a system to keep track of them and group them together.
- Pro tip - Excel works great for this
- Combining terms
- For a basic search via a search engine Boolean operators are typically not necessary.
- See the example search below if you would like to see an example of a Boolean search with terms.
- Search
- If your search doesn't need to be in-depth this can mean you do not need to use as many search engines or databases - you can pick what you think is best.
- Natural language might be more useful in simple or basic searches but structured language is still an option.
- You may not need to refine your search as often, but its always a good idea to give the results a quick evaluation.
Example: You need to do some research on agricultural equipment manufactures in the US for a larger project you'll be doing later in the year. You just need to get an idea of the companies that are out there, what types of equipment they produce, and choose one that piques your interest.
- Topic: agricultural equipment manufactures in the US.
- Things to think about: Can you get more specific? Is there a type of machine you're interested in? Is there a region of the US you want to focus on, like the Midwest? Check the assignment - is there something else you may need later, for instance statistics on use, wear, and cost-to-repair? These bits of information can help guide you to narrowing down a topic.
- Keywords:
- Element 1: agriculture, farming, industrial farming, machines, equipment, tools
- Element 2: manufacture, manufacturer, company, maker
- *Element 3: US, Midwest, Wisconsin
- Element 3 can be added later if your search does not yield any results in that area.
- Pro tip - start by casting a wide net then narrow it down as you go especially if your topic is niche.
- Combining terms
- Natural language: agriculture equipment manufacturers in the USA
- Structured language: (machinery OR equipment OR tool) AND (agriculture OR farming) AND (Manufacture OR Company) AND (USA OR "United States of America")
- Searching
- Because this is a basic search and you are looking for a company to research further - any search engine would be fine to use.
- Once you have a list of companies to explore its up to you to dig deeper and see what else is out there.
You have now completed a basic search!
