6.3: Create and implement a complex search strategy

Table of Contents

1. Designing a complex search strategy
   1. Locating a piece of specific information
   2. Retrieving everything on a topic
   3. Useful Search Techniques
   4. More useful search techniques
2. Reviewing search terms in the light of results - broader/narrower/related terms
3. Collection and presentation of results

Retrieving everything on a topic

You may be asked by the enquirer to retrieve everything you can on the topic. In many cases, to carry out this instruction to the letter would mean presenting the enquirer with an overwhelming mass of material.

The skill lies in designing your search so that it results in a number of the most useful and representative sites, which present sufficient, but not too much, information in the format and style best suited to your enquirer.

For this type of search, in addition to search engines, you may need to use directories, portals and databases. With practice you will learn which to use first in specific types of enquiries.

Let's look now at some Useful search techniques ...