Table of Contents | Introduction
| Resources | Search Strategies
| Overall Search Strategy | Example Searches
| Checklist and Hints & Tips | Glossary
and Connection Details
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4. Overall Search Strategy
With all these resources and strategies it can be confusing choosing
which ones to use. The key resources which you should be able to use are:
- Library OPAC
- Any relevant CD-ROM
- BIDS ISI, IBSS, Compendex, BL Inside Information (depending on subject
speciality)
- A Web search engine (e.g. currently Alta Vista seems to be the best)
This is also the order in which, other things being equal, you should
access the resources when trying to find things.
Other general points to note:
- if you get stuck try the list of hints and tips in Section 6.1
- remember not to confine yourself to a particular strategy or resource
- record your actions. Not only does this help others (e.g. Library staff)
to help you but it can also justify time spent on your search. If you have
been asked to find items which aren't there then you need evidence to explain
why you haven't found them.
- when dealing with online sources you can copy & paste and save
to disk most of the things you are reading
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