A search strategy is a well thought out plan about how to search for relevant information. Using information sources in a consistent, structured manner will save you time. As your searching progresses and your searches are refined, your search history can be extremely useful. It can also improve the relevancy of results obtained, as you reflect on your keywords and synonyms and how these relate to each other.
To develop a search strategy you will need to:
A search methodology could ideally include a search diary or document detailing your search so that you can keep track of effective search terms, or someone else can reproduce your steps and get the same results.
Keep a record of your search strategies, the sources searched and search results from each.
Include:
Keep a record of significant/important aspects of papers that you have read, making sure you note the article from where the information came so that you can easily find it when you are writing up your dissertation.
Further reading
Miller, R. L. & Brewer, J. (2003). The A-Z of Social Research : SAGE Publications Ltd doi: 10.4135/9780857020024
Phelps, R., Fisher, K. & Ellis, A. (2007). Effective literature searching. In Organizing and managing your research (pp. 128-149). : SAGE Publications Ltd doi: 10.4135/9781849209540.n7
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