Topic outline

  • 2 Forming the search phrases for information retrieval

    Exercise 2

    The interaction between the human intellect and different electronic databases is formed through different search terms and search phrases. The search function in the databases that the Aalto University Learning Centre either upholds or has bought operates nearly always by combining different search terms with Boolean operators (Information retrieval techniques). Search terms should be selected so that they represent the research subject in the best possible manner. You can use different thesauri or dictionaries to come up with your search terms (like MOT Dictionaries).

    Remember to use quotation marks around the words, if you want to search a phrase (two or more words in a specific order). Without quotation marks, many databases are looking for search words individually, and the results will contain irrelevant material.

    Be creative with your search phrases and test them out with, for example, Google Scholar. It is important that you develop your search phrases as you advance in your research process.

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1 Getting acquainted with your research topic and posing your research questions
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3 Getting familiar with the available information resources