Search Strategy Checklist

Follow the steps below as you begin your research process. . It offers suggestions for starting your research and ideas for locating specific kinds of information. If it is not necessary to use a particular kind of resource, please note that by writing N/A in the informational space provided. If you need to consult more sources than there is space for, please use the back of these pages.

I. State your topic.

• What is it you want information about? (Succinctly state your topic in the space below.)

 

 

• Formulate several questions you need to answer in your research. (Use the space below.)

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• What are the primary subject areas in which information about your topic is likely to be found? (For example: science, literature, religion, etc.) These will help you determine databases to search in later. (Use the space below.)

   

   

II. Locate background information.

(Place a checkmark in front of each type of information you consult.)

_____ Information/bibliography from textbook (List sources below.)

 

_____ General encyclopedias such as Britannica, Americana, etc. (List sources below.)

 

_____ Specialized encyclopedias such as Encyclopedia of Religion, Grove Dictionary of Art. (List sources below.)

 

In the space below, list keywords and concepts (these may include names of persons or authors) related to your topic that you identified as you gathered your background information. Use the back of this sheet if you need additional space.

 

 

 

III. Define your search parameters.

• Scope of your topic:

  _____Narrow scope: limited to a specific aspect or number of topical aspects

  _____Broad scope: a wide range of topical aspects

   

• What is the time frame/dates for the topic? This will help you determine whether print or electronic resources are appropriate.

   

• What is the geographic area for your topic? Whether the information is of local, national, or global interest will help determine where to locate information.

 

IV. Locate books.

Use the Online Catalog. Note which searches you use below:

_____Subject search (List valid, relevant subject headings below. Hint: Use Library of Congress Subject Headings!)

 

_____ Author/title searches (As identified in Step II above.)

• State your rationale for using books in the space below:

 

 

V. Locate periodical articles.

Note those which you need below:

• _____Popular press (List appropriate indexes, print or electronic in the space below.)

 

• _____Academic or scholarly journals (List appropriate indexes, print or electronic in the space below.)

 

• Use electronic databases (List databases titles below: i.e. Humanities Abstracts, Social Sciences Abstracts, etc.)
  
  
• First database used:

Keywords/concepts identified in Step II used in searching:

 

Valid subject headings identified from the records you retrieved in keyword search:

 

• Second database used:

Keywords/concepts identified in Step II used in searching:

 

Valid subject headings identified from the records you retrieved in keyword search:

 

• State your rationale for using periodical articles and choosing the databases listed in the space below:

 

 

• Use print indexes (if appropriate to subject area and time frame)
  
  
• List indexes used:

 

• List subject headings found useful:

 

VI. Locate Internet resources.

• What kind of information do you need to find on the Internet?

  _____Statistics

  _____Facts/general information

  _____Opinions and points of view on a topic

  _____Other (please state)

   

• List below any URLs already identified related to your topic

 

 

 

_____Do you need to do a search via a search engine?

List search engines utilized in your search:

 

 

• _____Apply evaluative criteria to all Internet sites you are considering using as a resource.

 

• State your rationale for using Internet Sources in the space below:

   

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Modified from http://www.millikin.edu/staley/Instruction/cwrr/search.html