This is a more advanced searching technique than the other techniques we have looked at, but if you master this style of searching then it can greatly improve your searching productivity and effectiveness.
It will be helpful if you have tried and feel comfortable with the previous search techniques before using this technique
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Rather than type my entire search strategy in one big search, I like to use separate searches for each concept and then combine my searches afterwards.
Many databases have a search history, which shows you searches that you have already done, and allows you to combine those searches together. You can then view the results of the combined searches
Often I will think of another search word later, or see a new search term in the list of results, or I find that one of my search terms is not useful (for example, searching for management in some databases finds too many articles on case management or wound management or other topics).
By putting each concept in a separate search, I can quickly change that specific search, then combine the concepts again for a better set of results.
Use concepts from one of your own assignments
Click the button below to try the instructions above in
(you will need your Federation login, the same one you use to access Federation email and Moodle)
Remember, use concept searches from your own assessment task - Academic Search Complete is a multidisciplinary database with a wide coverage of many disciplines
Academic Search Complete is a multidisciplinary database with a wide coverage of many disciplines, but other database may be more applicable to your specific discipline.
You can find more databases here: https://libguides.federation.edu.au/az.php. Use the Subject drop-down to find databases for your disciplinary area
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