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Develop your search strategy
To search effectively, you need to develop a clear search strategy that will find all the relevant information on your topic.
To do this, you need to:
- Identify the keywords that describe the main ideas in your topic or assignment.
- Expand the list of keywords by finding alternative words. This includes synonyms, related words, abbreviations, acronyms and words that are specific to your subject area or profession.
Model example
Using the same topic as before, note the key words and possible alternative words that could be used for your search strategy.
Compare team models in two contemporary organisations. Discuss the effectiveness of these models with reference to current management theories.
| Keyword | Alternative words |
|---|---|
| team models | groups, teamwork |
| effectiveness | effective, functional, useful, operational, performance |
| management theories* | *Refine your search by using specific management theories |
Use a dictionary or a thesaurus to help you find alternative words.
Activity: Identifying keywords
Click on the keywords/phrases in each example assignment topic.
What role does brand recognition play in the marketing and promotion of well-known international corporations?
Identify three supply chain strategies applicable to the auto industry in Vietnam.
Australia has a water shortage problem. Explain the current situation and discuss possible solutions, such as desalination, recycling, irrigation upgrades, or rain water harvesting.
Well done!
You have correctly identified the main ideas of each assignment topic.
Read the following example assignment topics and identify the keywords/phrases.
Topic 1: What role does brand recognition play in the marketing and promotion of well-known international corporations
Answer 1: 'brand recognition', marketing, promotion, 'international corporations'
Topic 2: Identify three supply chain strategies applicable to the auto industry in Vietnam.
Answer 2: 'supply chain strategies', 'auto industry', Vietnam
Topic 3: Australia has a water shortage problem. Explain the current situation and discuss possible solutions, such as desalination, recycling, irrigation upgrades, or rain water harvesting.
Answer 3: Australia, 'water shortage', 'desalination, recycling, irrigation upgrades, or rain water harvesting.'