Your topic:

Your brainstorming:

Your societies/organisations:

Using google to find better keywords

Put your search into google and click enter. Look on the left menu and click More Search tools.The “Wonder Wheel” is an interactive map. Look at the suggestions on the right of the page as well. Also try Related Searches. This is a great way to see connections in ideas; it can be a way of drilling down and finding better results. Also try limiting the time by using “Past year” or even “Past 24 hours” which are also found on the left menu.

WEB PATHFINDER WORKSHEET

You need to analyse your topic and then construct search strategies BEFORE you begin your search on the Web, to save valuable time.

Topic: Eg. Research the variety of specific functional clothing wear that has been developed

1. Brainstorm the topic : Try to identify here all the general keywords or phrases you can think of that are associated with this topic. Eg smart textiles, High tech textiles, etc

2. Now

try to add really specific, unique or distinctive words, phrases or acronyms (i.e. initials representing a group or association like ANZAC) that are associated with your topic. Eg nanotechnology,

3. Also try to think of any societies, organisations or groups which could have information on the topic via their homepages – you could try the Yellow Pages for these (under Animal Welfare Organisations): Eg RMIT, Dupont. Kooga

4.Y

ou can reduce the number of irrelevant documents you get by using some of the following search strategies:

If you are searching for a phrase (2 or more words together), enclose the phrase in double quotation marks Eg

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Your specific words:

Your enclosed phrases:

Your widening phrases:

You can use some elements of Boolean logic, using AND, OR, and AND NOT to widen or narrow searches. (Note the capitalisation). Google- used advanced search

To WIDEN: Link words with OR Eg “nanotechnology” OR “nanoparticles” and you’ll search for both terms at once. This is also useful if different terms are used in different countries Eg automobiles OR cars; Google- used advanced search

To NARROW: There are 2 ways:

Link words with AND to require all terms to be in documents retrieved Eg “performance enhancing” AND clothing.

Link words with AND NOT to search for one term and exclude another. Eg. “performance enhancing” AND NOT drugs. Google- use space then minus signor Advanced search anti-virus -software

5. Check if your spelling is correct (1 incorrect letter can make all thedifference!) including whether there are variations of spelling with other countries eg U.S. “fiber” vs Aust. “fibre”. If you want to search for both variants, join them with OR. Eg “fibre” OR “fiber”.

6. What broader terms could your topic be covered by? This would give you access to expert-selected sites in Subject Directories where you narrow downwards Eg. Animals Domestic animals Treatment

7. Now record your search terms and strategies in their relevant search tool categories, keep them by you as a guide, and you’re ready to research, not just surf, via the Web’s major search tools!

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Your narrowing phrases:

Your spelling variations:

Your broader terms:

Applying Searching Strategies

Task - Research modern developments in textile production.Research the variety of specific functional clothing wear that has been developed eg. Trekking, rugby, running, cycling, swimming, fashion, skiing, extra comfort, anti-odour, anti-bacterialResearch results of such new developments eg. Improved performance, improved training, improved comfort, warmth and wearability.

Strategy 1 Google- try many keywords “put phrases in quotation marks”Keywords used “modern developments in textile production”4th hit http://projects.nfstc.org/trace/docs/Trace%20Presentations%20CD-2/nehse.pdf Gives keywords- Textile Fibers, Nanotechnology, Nanoparticles, Smart Textiles, Intelligent ClothesKeywords used “Modern textile industry” http://texprocil.com/articles/application-of-Biotechnology.htm

Strategy 2 - Sweet search http://www.sweetsearch.com/ Keywords used “Future textiles”http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/gallery-smart-textiles/http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG6240633/The-fashion-of-the-future-scientists-usher-in-a-new-age-of-hi-tech-textiles.html

Strategy 1 Reapplied with new keywords, Google Keywords used “High tech textiles” http://www.teonline.com/articles/2008/12/smart-fabrics-the-hi-tech-text.htmlhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071026112117.htmhttp://www.techwear-weblog.com/50226711/new_hightech_football_uniforms.phphttp://www.techwear-weblog.com/50226711/fibres_of_the_21st_century.phphttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/12/science/12text.html?_r=1&ex=1270958400&en=8279e7974ffec196&38;ei=5088&38;partner=rssnyt&38;emc=rsshttp://www.physorg.com/news4246.html many more

Strategy 3 State Library Databases Examples- Ebsco and MasterfileEven though looks similar Ebsco Host is searching different databases of information

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Strategy 4

Searching Deep Web Background – do not try and use all of these for one assignment- use holidays to find favourites http://cathryno.globalteacher.org.au/2010/05/08/deep-web-vs-surface-web/Complete planet http://aip.completeplanet.com Surfwax – search engine that helps narrow a topic http://www.surfwax.com/ Collarity clusters results by type of content http://www.collarity.com/http://vlib.org/http://infomine.ucr.edu/http://www.oclc.org/oaister/http://www.ipl.org/http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-search-engines-explore-deep-invisible-web/99 Deep search engines http://www.collegedegree.com/library/college-life/99-resources-to

Strategy 5 Delicious and Diigohttp://www.delicious.com/ and http://www.diigo.com/These did not provide many results is this instance, after a quick search, but often are useful

Strategy 6 Check Library for books

These 5 strategies are useful to provide a general idea of what you might write. It is then likely, you will need to search again, once you have more specific search terms.

Have a research plan. The writing and rewriting part is just as important as the research part, so plan your time so you stop researching, and have enough time to write and rewrite.

Remember to keep a record of your websites as you go along for the bibliography.http://www.slideshare.net/SLINTEC/smart-textiles-adding-value-to-sri-lankan-textiles-the-electronic-textiles-option-handouthttp://www.slideshare.net/mschongkong/smart-textileshttp://www.slideshare.net/sandeepmittal62/functional-nano-finishes-for-textilesSearch strategies by Jenni King- oldie but a goodie http://www.brisbanesde.eq.edu.au/assets/documents/library/searchstrategies.docsmart textiles http://www.ualberta.ca/~jag3/smart_textiles/Page_5.html http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/fashion/smart/ “smart textiles” rmit http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse/Our%20Organisation%2FDesign%20and%20Social%20Context%2FSchools%20and%20groups%2FFashion%20and%20Textiles%2FResearch%20and%20publication%2FResearch%20clusters%2F%20%20Advanced%20technology/http://mams.rmit.edu.au/6d8gknvm22u2.pdf

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