Searching for Resources

Searching for information resources, which include a range of scholarly articles, databases, digital libraries, and research platforms, is an integral part of academic work. However, the sheer volume and variety of information available can be overwhelming.

Tools for effective searching of information sources

Understanding the research topic before beginning any search is essential to dig into the process thoroughly. Clarifying research questions and identifying key terms will facilitate the subsequent development of appropriate search terms and improve the accuracy of search results. Choosing the proper search tools is essential for the best access to resources.

For printer resources: Library Catalog, Knihovny.cz portal, WorldCat.
For electronic resources: EIZ Portal, the Discovery service.
- Specialized subscription databases: Statista, Global Financials, LSEG Eikon, …
For freely available resources: Google Scholar, Google Books, Internet Archive.

A Quick Guide to Searching

A quick guide to searching

Track your search process - your search queries, sources, and results. This will help you organize your information and avoid duplication of effort, and tracking your process will also give you a basis for citations.

To formulate an effective search query, we should use:

Relevant keywords: Identifying key terms and selecting appropriate keywords.
Boolean operators: using AND, OR, and NOT operators to combine or exclude search terms.
Phrase search: support using quotation marks to accurately search for phrases – „financial statements“.
Wildcards and abbreviations: use of asterisks (*) and other symbols (?) to capture variations of search terms – econom* = economics, economic, …
Metadata: Many databases allow you to filter results by metadata such as publication date, author, or source type – this way, you can find up-to-date or relevant sources faster.

Critically evaluate the search results by:

Credibility of sources: verification of the author and reputation of the publication.
Publication dates: taking into account the relevance of recent publications in terms of up-to-date information.
Reviewed Content: Preference for peer-reviewed articles that have undergone peer review.
Citations and citation rate: examining related research by analyzing references in relevant articles.

Make maximum use of institutional resources:

Access to paid databases: Using university subscriptions for comprehensive research.
Library assistance: using librarians to assist in advanced search techniques and finding appropriate resources.

University of Arizona Libraries / Youtube

The Importance of Keywords

The importance of keywords for effective search

Keywords are vital in information retrieval and provide relevant and accurate academic material access. They serve primarily as the basis of search queries when searching for appropriate resources. The selection of relevant keywords influences the quality and specificity of search results, and a well-constructed set of keywords can help discover scholarly resources that match research objectives.

Keyword selection process:

Brainstorming: Brainstorm and identify the main concepts and themes related to your research topic.
Synonyms and related terms: explore synonyms, abbreviations, and related terms commonly used in economics to expand your search results.
Specificity vs. generality: balance specific keywords that refine your search and general keywords that capture a broader range of relevant sources.
Relevant article analysis: examine abstracts and keywords used in highly relevant articles to identify other possible keywords.

Examples of keywords for different economic topics:

Economic growth:
- Keywords: economic growth, GDP growth, economic development, economic expansion.
Inflation:
- Keywords: inflation, consumer price index, inflationary pressures, deflation.
International trade:
- Keywords: international trade, import and export, trade balance, trade agreement, customs duty.
Monetary policy:
- Keywords: monetary policy, central bank, interest rates, open market operations, quantitative easing.
Job market:
- Keywords: job market, unemployment rate, labor market participation, wage inequality, labor force demography.

Tips for Effective Search

Tips for effective searching in electronic information sources:

Define clear research objectives: Clearly formulate your research goals and questions before starting your search. This will help you stay focused and ensure that you find relevant information.
Use specific keywords: Choose specific and relevant keywords that accurately describe your research topic. Avoid broad terms that may lead to irrelevant results. Tip: Have you found an article in English but can't determine which words could be keywords? Try the tool WordSift, which creates a word cloud of the most frequently mentioned terms from the inserted text.
Use logical operators: Use Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT to refine your search and effectively combine multiple keywords.
Explore synonyms and related terms: Consider using synonyms, abbreviations, and related terms to broaden your search and discover additional relevant sources. Tip: Are you struggling to find suitable synonyms to expand your search? Use a thesaurus – a dictionary of English synonyms and antonyms.
Refine search results: Use advanced search options, filters, and date ranges to narrow the search results and access the most recent and relevant information.
Use specialized databases: Explore specialized databases and academic search engines to find scholarly articles and sources related to your field of study.
Evaluate the credibility of sources: Critically assess the credibility of the sources you find. Check the author, publication date, and the reputation of the publisher or journal.
Explore citations: Review the references in relevant articles to discover additional sources useful for your research.
Consult with librarians: Ask for help from your university librarians. They are trained to assist with information retrieval and can guide you to the most appropriate resources.
Track your search strategies: Document your search strategies, including the keywords used, databases accessed, and filters applied. This will help you later to replicate and refine your search process.
Stay informed about new research: Subscribe to academic journals, newsletters, and research platforms to stay up-to-date with your field's latest publications and research trends.
Attend workshops and training: Participate in workshops or training sessions offered by your university library or academic support services to improve your information search skills.
Use AI: Tools specialized in science and research can be particularly useful when conducting searches.