LibrarySkills@UCL: Searching for information

If you are a research student, or working at advanced level, you will need to understand appropriate research methods, and to plan, develop and record your search methodology.

As an independent researcher, you should:

• Already be competent in using search techniques and how to get the best out of multiple varying academic information sources;
• Have an awareness of relevant advanced searching techniques and when they could be useful;
• Understand how search syntax varies and be able to translate search strategies across resources;
• Be able to continually revise, refine and develop your search methodology. This includes an ability to critically review and assess your search results, and to amend your search to optimise the relevance and number of results.

If you are working on your dissertation or a research project for your academic programme, our guide will direct you to the support, resources and guidance you need.

If you are carrying out a systematic review you might also like to consult our guide on searching for systematc reviews: