Once you have developed keywords for each concept, to conduct the actual search you will want to combine these keywords using standard search operators: AND, OR and NOT. Doing so allows you to broaden or narrow your search as appropriate. There is usually no one perfect combination of keywords and you will likely run multiple searches. Consider the following illustration of combining keywords, and search operators (AND, OR, NOT) for the question “How effective are tax policies at reducing carbon emissions that cause climate change?” where you want to avoid discussing cap and trade systems.
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Climate |
OR |
Global warming |
OR |
Storm intensification |
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AND |
Carbon |
OR |
CO2 |
OR |
Emissions |
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AND |
Carbon tax |
OR |
Carbon credits |
OR |
Gas tax |
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NOT |
Cap and Trade |
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A search using this combination will return results that include one of the three climate change related keywords, plus one of the three carbon related keywords, plus one of the three carbon tax related keywords, while excluding results that include cap and trade. See the Combining Keywords Worksheet located in Resources for Research Strategies for more examples.
Review the sections below to learn more about the use of the AND/OR/NOT search operators.
carbon
AND
climate
AND
tax policy
global warming
OR
climate change
OR
storm intensification
Used to exclude sources containing certain keywords from your search. Results in a narrower search and fewer results. In the example, carbon pricing NOT cap and trade will return results for resources in which the keyword carbon pricing is present excluding any that also contain the keyword cap and trade.
carbon pricing
NOT
cap and trade
A good research strategy considers what type of information you need and what kinds of sources are likely to have that information. It also considers the concepts and corresponding keywords to use in conducting a search. Finally your research strategy should consider the right place(s) to conduct your search.
Where you search should be based on your research strategy and information need, not what your favourite search engine or database is. Some commonly used options for academic research are:
Quick Find searches all resources available to you through the libraries at the University and Federated Colleges.
Library Databases are specific collections that usually contain resources in a specific format or related to a specific subject area
Google Scholar searches the Internet for resources that appear to be academic in nature
The image below points out the default Quick Find tab and the databases button on the Archer Library & Archives website.
If you need help thinking through your search options use the chat service on the library website or use one of the contact options listed here.