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Search effectively

Learn about the key components of an effective search strategy

 

 

If you don't know much about your topic, or if English isn't your first language, you can use Google Search and online dictionaries/thesauruses to find other words. The video below will show you how. Keep scrolling down for more tips and methods to find alternative words for effective searching.

Library Bite: Finding alternative keywords via Google (0:41)

Authors use a wide range of terminology

A researcher writing a paper about teenagers may use the word teenager, however another researcher may use the word teen or adolescent.

That is why it is important to consider alternative terminology when conducting your search. By using a range of synonyms you will increase your chances of finding useful results.

For Example, phone might = cellphone; cellular phone; mobile phone; smart phone; mobile telephone; mobile device.

Spelling variations

Think about variations in spelling and single word vs multiple word forms.

For Example:

  • behaviour vs behavior
  • healthcare vs health care

Make a table in Word

It can be helpful to organise your lists into a table (we call this a Logic Grid) so that you can refer to them while searching:

Dietary factors    Migraine          Adolescence          

diet

nutrition

food intake

migraine

vascular headache

adolescent

adolescents

teenagers

teens

young adults