The following are some tips to optimize your information searches:

1. Bibliographic search

This is when you consult resources or sources to find the information you need. 

• Choice of terms: key words, general terms or more specific terms.
• Query language: Truncation (*), wild-card (?), exact phrase (“…”).
• Combine terms: Boolean search (AND / OR / NOT operators).
• Fields: Author, title, subject, others.
• Filters: Year, language, document type.

2. How do I locate the documents after the search?

• Access options: the location indicates in which libraries they can be found.
• The call number is a code that indicates the location on the shelves.
• Status: available or out on loan.
• When the item is available online  “View full text / View eBook” links directly to the full text of the resource.

3. Assess and manage the results

• Analyse the quantity, quality, pertinence and relevance.
• Re-trigger the search using filters, limiters, more specific or more general terms.
• Learn how to prepare a bibliography and cite sources according to a specific style.
• Use a bibliographic reference manager, like RefWorks.
• Avoid plagiarism.