3. Effective Searching 1: Defining your Concepts
This short slide deck will provide an overview of
defining the key concepts around which you will
construct your search strategy.
It forms part 1 of a series covering some of the
tools available to you to construct an effective
search.
For examples of existing models for identifying
key concepts, see the accompanying Key
Concepts: Existing Models Guide.
4. Effective Searching
Define your
information need
• What types
of resource
do you
need?
• Identify
where to
search.
• Identify
your key
concepts.
Broaden
your search
• Be compre-
hensive.
• Ensure
nothing is
missed un-
necessarily.
• “Cast your
nets wide.”
Narrow your
search
• Be focused.
• Exclude any
‘noise’.
• Ensure you
can use
your reading
time most
efficiently.
• “Use the
right nets.”
Evaluate
your results
• Identify
gaps.
• Assess un-
expected
results.
• Review
search
terms with
new knowl-
edge.
Make your
results work for
you
• Be efficient
with your
time.
• Search
alerts.
• Citation
searching.
See our LibGuide
“Where to Search”
5. - Define your information need
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
Concept 1
Concept 3Concept 2
“Evaluating
the impact of
crime enacted
by teenagers
in the inner
city”
6. - Define your information need
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
Concept 1
Concept 3Concept 2
“Evaluating
the impact of
crime enacted
by teenagers
in the inner
city”
Looking at the
question, think
about what the
three broad
topics, or
concepts, you
will need to find
information on…
7. - Define your information need
Concept 1
Concept 3Concept 2
“Evaluating
the impact of
crime enacted
by teenagers
in the inner
city”
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
8. - Define your information need
Concept 1
Concept 3Concept 2
“Evaluating
the impact of
crime enacted
by teenagers
in the inner
city”
Phenomenon of Interest
Setting
Population /
Sample
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
9. - Define your information need
Concept 1
Concept 3Concept 2
“Evaluating
the impact of
crime enacted
by teenagers
in the inner
city”
Phenomenon of Interest
Setting
Population /
Sample
Methodology
type
Intervention
type
Time period
Object /
Classification
/ Theme
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
See Key Concepts:
Existing Models
Guide for further
examples
10. teenagers crime inner city Your identified
broad concepts
around which
you will base
your search.
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
11. teenagers crime inner city
Effective Searching – defining your key concepts
Next steps:
To identify the
different
keywords,
terms, phrases
which describe
each of the key
concepts
identified.
12. Effective Searching
Define your
information need
• What types
of resource
do you
need?
• Identify
where to
search.
• Identify
your key
concepts.
Broaden
your search
• Be compre-
hensive.
• Ensure
nothing is
missed un-
necessarily.
• “Cast your
nets wide.”
Narrow your
search
• Be focused.
• Exclude any
‘noise’.
• Ensure you
can use
your reading
time most
efficiently.
• “Use the
right nets.”
Evaluate
your results
• Identify
gaps.
• Assess un-
expected
results.
• Review
search
terms with
new knowl-
edge.
Make your
results work for
you
• Be efficient
with your
time.
• Search
alerts.
• Citation
searching.