Inquiry Process Toolbox
Step 2 Use various information resources from reputable sources to begin answering your questions to the inquiry focus. |
Internet Search Skills
Research does not always start with the Google.
Other sources of information are:
- Non-fictions textbooks.
- Online Databases.
- Interviewing experts.
- Conducting an experiment.
- Field work.
Create a list of key words from your initial searches as this will help you when searching different databases.
- Underline the key words of the question(s)
- If searching the internet use:
- BOOLEAN style search
AND | Italy AND Cooking | Results contain ALL of the search items |
OR | Cars OR automobiles | Results contain ANY of the search items but not necessary all of the items |
NOT | 'Hot drinks' NOT coffee | Results exclude the second search item |
2. Using Truncation and wildcards
* | librar* | Results will contain all variations of the word: library, librarian, librarianship |
? | wom?n | Results will contain woman and women |
# | col#r | Results will contain colour and color |
Internet Information Sources
- Google-Tips-TricksTips on how to refine your searches in Google
- How to Search on GoogleLearn a few tips and tricks to help you easily find information on Google.
- Research TipsCurated research tips
- Google ScholarArticle search
Interviewing
Expertvillage. (2008). Interviewing for research projects: preparing interview questions [video file]. Retrieved June 06, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=9&v=tRT7VrbP-As
Expertvillage. (2008). Interviewing for research projects: closing the interview [video file]. Retrieved June 06, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=OOe4eN8Ipk8
Storing information so that you can find it again
- Notepad, coloured pens, highlighters and sticky notes.
- OneNote
- Word / excel document
- Dictaphone
- Search engine bookmarking: How to Add and Manage Bookmarks in Chrome
Curation sites enable you to organise and categories or online information:
- Pearltrees - A visual and collaborative curation tool
- Pinterest - An online pin up board.
- Symbaloo - Collate all your favourite websites in one place.
- Evernote - Note taking app
- Search Terms JournalTrack where what terms you have been using to search and where you have been searching
Information Curation Sites
- PearltreesVisually appealing and collaborative curation tool.
- PinterestAn online pin up board.
- EvernoteNote taking app
- SymbalooCollate all your favourite websites in one place.