When searching the Internet or library resources, get the best search results by using some of these search tips:
Broaden your search
To provide more results (expand) use OR between the keywords. This is useful when something can be described in different ways e.g. USA OR America
Some databases allow you to broaden your search by using the stem of a word andan asterisk*to find variant endings e.g. Comput* (this will find computers, computer, computing, computerisation, computation etc)
Use a question mark ? to find different spellings e.g. organi?ation (finds organization and organisation)
Narrow your search
To add 2 topics together use AND between the keywords e.g. network AND security
Using brackets allows you to perform quite sophisticated searches. this is especially relevant to internet searching e.g. ("human computer interaction" AND "interface design") AND software
Search for a phrase
To ensure that words always appear together as a phrase, enclose with “quotation marks” e.g. “human computer interaction"
Academic sources
In order to find information on a specified subject which originates from academic sources such as University websites, include +ac (British) or +edu (USA) to your search e.g. "project management" +ac
Exclude words/topics
To exclude topics which are irrelevant or not wanted use NOT between the words e.g. Computer gamesNOT video
A minus sign (-) can also be used to exclude a term when searching the Internet e.g. to find information on Apple computers and not apples (fruit), enter Apple -fruit
Exact match
Many search engines on the Internet find synonyms automatically i.e. they will find center if you have searched for centre. Use a plus symbol (+) or "quotation marks" to ensure a specific spelling of a word is found e.g. +Excelor "Excel"
Related
To find similar websites to one that you have already found use Related: e.g. Related:http://www.bcs.org/ will find other websites which are similar to the British Computer Society's website
Use site: to search within certain types of websites with either a specified subject (e.g. design) or domain (e.g. academic websites) eg. to search for statististics in maths or academic websites use Statistics site: maths or Statistics site: ac
Getting answers
To find a definition of something use Define: e.g. to find a definition of Bayesian statistical modelling use Define: "Bayesian statistical modelling"
To get an answer to a question use an asterisk * e.g. to find out what Alan Turing developed enter Alan Turing developed*
