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SEARCHING
Search Strategy Development
Pose the Question
Formulate a simple statement summarizing
the information you're looking for.
Example
Find research concerning the
population dynamics of European
tree frogs.
Identify the Main Subjects
Select the key terms you will need to search.
Example
Population dynamics
European tree frogs
Determine How to Search the
Main Subjects
Use the Thesaurus or Zoological Record Search
Guide
TM
to identify appropriate controlled terms
for your search; decide whether to use single-
term or exploded search option. Search
noncontrolled terms plus known synonyms
and variants, using appropriate truncation. Do
preliminary searches on vernacular animal
names to identify scientific names.
Examples
S Population-dynamics!
S Hyla(W)arborea
Carry Out the Search
Combine your search statements using
appropriate operators to specify the required
relationships.
Example
S (Population-dynamics!(S)hyla(W)arborea)/DE
Review Results and
Modify/Refine If Necessary
If your results contain irrelevancies, consider
using a narrower controlled term or more
specific noncontrolled terms. For additional
retrieval, consider using a broader thesaurus
term or additional synonyms and spelling
variants.
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