On this page you will find information on the following topics:
There are different aspects to search strategies, some are used during the research itself, others are used in preparation and others are best used during the process of research and after completion.
A search matrix is structured like a table. The row designations are entered in the first column, e.g. search term, generic term, subordinate term, etc. (see below). (see below). Depending on the topic, other designations may also play a role. In the first line, first enter the search terms that come to mind for your topic, in this case the topic is ‘Does nutrition have an effect on mental well-being?’. Creating a search matrix can be a little difficult at first and requires some practice, but once you have learnt how to use it, it can help you to structure the research process better.
Result sets can vary for search queries, depending on how they were formulated. If the result set is too small, you can replace the search term with the generic term and if it is too large, you can use the sub-terms to better narrow down the result sets.
| Does nutrition have an effect on the psychological well-being? |
Aspect 1 | Aspect 2 | Aspect 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search term | nutrition | psyche | well-being |
| General term | food | Mind | Condition |
| Sub-term | Malnutrition, diet, types of nutrition … |
Subconsciousness | physical well-being, mental well-being |
| Related term | Eating disorder | Emotions | Satisfaction |
| Synonym | Food exception | Soul | Health |
| German (or another language) | Ernährung | Psyche | Wohlbefinden |
| etc. … |
With a mind map, you can record all the thoughts that occur to you on the topic without having to organise them concretely at the beginning. This is why this method can be an ideal way to start your research without having to commit yourself directly.
Example: Implementing sustainability in everyday life
Boolean operators are used to link different search terms with each other. The three operators AND, OR and NOT are explained below. These operators can be used in most search engines, databases and library catalogues. However, there are other Boolean operators that are not explained here.
Search terms that have been linked with the AND operator (or also AND) are only searched for together. This means that only search results in which all search terms linked with AND are specified are displayed. As a rule, most search engines, databases and catalogues automatically link search terms with the AND operator.
Z. B.:
Sustainability AND climate policy
Possible results:
All results that contain sustainability and climate policy together are now displayed.
Search terms that have been linked with the OR operator (or OR) are searched for together and separately. This means that search results are displayed in which one search term, the other search term or both search terms are specified together.
Z. B.:
sustainability OR climate policy
Possible results:
All results containing sustainability, climate policy or both are now displayed.
The result set is therefore larger as, compared to the AND operator, results now also appear that only contain one of the search terms.
Search terms linked with the NOT operator (or NOT) are searched for results in which this search term does not occur.
Z. B.:
Sustainability NOT climate policy
Possible results:
All results containing sustainability are now displayed, all results containing climate policy are excluded from the results. This reduces the result set, as all results with climate policy, including the results that contain sustainability, are no longer displayed.
Truncation means that a placeholder indicates to the system that it should automatically complete the word at this point. There are various options for truncation, at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a word. For truncation, * is mainly used, but ?, ! and $ can also be used depending on the search engine, catalogue or database. Another option is masking, in which a character is specifically replaced by the placeholder. This is particularly helpful with names if you are not sure whether the name is written with i or y etc.
Examples of truncation:
At the beginning: *psychology is then automatically added to developmental psychology, sports psychology, market psychology etc.
In the centre: Gra*ik is then automatically added to Graphics, Graphik, etc.
At the end: Student* is then automatically added to Student, Studenten, Studentinnen, Studentische, etc.
The phrase search is used when you want to search for several search terms in a specific order. For example, if you remember part of a title or need to search for words in a certain order to get a suitable result. As a rule, inverted commas are used for phrase searches.
Example:
political activism = ‘political activism’
Finding the right sources can sometimes be difficult. Especially if you don’t know where to look. This is because Google or Wikipedia are unsuitable sources for academic papers.
So where is the best place to look for sources?
The CRAAP test is a helpful model for assessing the quality and scientific validity of information sources. The five letters stand for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. These criteria help you to critically question whether a source is trustworthy and suitable for your research question.
This criterion refers to how new and up-to-date the information is. Check the publication date of the source to ensure that the content reflects the current state of research. For online sources, you should also check whether all links work and are regularly updated. Depending on the topic, currency can be crucial.
This refers to how well the source fits your topic or research question. Make sure that the content is thematically, linguistically and technically appropriate and that it helps you answer your problem or research question. Relevant sources are directly focused on your goal and written at the appropriate academic level.
This criterion assesses who provides the information. Check whether the author has the relevant expertise and qualifications or whether the source comes from a recognised institution. Credible sources are usually published by experts or scientifically established organisations.
This criterion focuses on the accuracy of the information. Reliable sources contain verifiable statements, refer to traceable evidence and do not contain any obvious errors or contradictions. If source references are missing or facts and figures appear questionable, the scientific accuracy of the source may be limited.
This criterion examines the intention behind the source. Ask yourself why the information was created — is it to inform, persuade, entertain or sell something? Pay attention to whether the presentation is objective and neutral or whether an ideological, political, economic or personal agenda is apparent.
The CRAAP test does not provide a rigid evaluation scheme, but rather a framework to help you critically evaluate information. Not every criterion is equally important in every situation, but together they provide a solid basis for asking:
‘Is this information CRAAP?’
Based on
Blakeslee, Sarah (2004) ‘The CRAAP Test,’ LOEX Quarterly: Vol. 31: No. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://commons.emich.edu/loexquarterly/vol31/iss3/4https://commons.emich.edu/loexquarterly/vol31/iss3/4
A reference management programme is there to create a kind of small database containing all the sources you need for a scientific paper. Everything from books and newspaper clippings to online sources and photos can be incorporated. It is usually possible to link these programmes with writing programmes such as Word so that the sources can be inserted directly into the document. This is usually done fully automatically after a citation has been selected and the bibliography is inserted automatically at the end. Reference management programmes can almost always be used, but are definitely recommended from 10 pages upwards.
Programme free of charge: Zotero
Programme subject to a fee: Citavi
All reference media that we have can be found via this catalogue, loans can be viewed and managed via this account. As a rule, user accounts are automatically set up for students for this catalogue.
Which Boolean operators could you use in the catalogue?
In the catalogue, search terms are automatically linked with AND. Using the advanced search, the operators can be customised so that OR and NOT can also be selected, simply click on the ‘More options’ button next to the ‘Search’ button.
Can other search strategies be used?
Neither phrase search nor truncation can be used.
Macromedia-Catalog by EBSCO
All our online media except Statista can be searched through the Macromedia catalogue. If you would like to view the catalogue of a specific provider, you can also click on Digital Media in the navigation bar at the top to be redirected directly to the overview page of our online offers and the links to the providers. If you are searching via the catalogue, you should know that eBooks can not only be displayed as a complete book, but that only the chapter headings appear in the catalogue. For these data records, it is then stated at the bottom in which it was published. For this catalogue you would have to create your own user account, for example to create projects and add media to a list.
Which Boolean operators could you use in the catalogue?
In the Macromedia Catalogue, search terms are automatically linked with AND. Using the advanced search, the operators can be customised so that OR and NOT can also be selected.
What other search strategies can be used?
Phrase search, truncation at the end
We are happy to support you with your research. Simply make an appointment and enter your research topic in the comments field.