~ The summary of search results is a list of resources (bibliography) on the topic you need to write an essay or prepare a research paper, presentation or lecture.
NOTE:
Information retrieval or (online) search is a process of looking for and finding relevant information. In Czech language, for both the searching process and the search results, we use the same word – ‘rešerše‘ (from French recherché – to search, searching, research), which might be slightly confusing. In English, librarians often use the term ‘information retrieval’ to describe the search process (especially while using professional electronic resources, e.g. specialized databases) and the term ‘search results’ for the outcome.
To perform an information retrieval means to search through available information resources (library catalogues, professional electronic databases, webpages of universities, scientific societies, companies, etc.). Gathering and studying all relevant selected sources is essential for understanding up-to-date knowledge in the field and the topic of your research paper. Thanks to information retrieval you may organize general knowledge and starting points, and get inspired for your work.
I. Selection of relevant terms:
Select keywords for search process (terminology in English and preferably also in Czech).
II. Formulation of your search query
Use different types of search (basic, advanced, expert) and search tools such as Boolean operators, proximity operators, truncation, masking.
III. Choice of information resource
Select suitable subject-relevant library funds, databases, internet resources.
IV. Search in catalogues and databases
Enter keyword to search fields at the interface of the respective database or catalogue and do your search.
V. Results evaluation
Select relevant results (if the results don’t meet your quest, rephrase your search query and try again).
If you have searched in catalogues or databases which don’t contain full texts, data or facts, you only get a literature summary. Obtain the full texts differently.
Instructions for information retrieval
Search preparation
- Identify your keywords and terms
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- Get the terminology for the topic you focus on in your research paper (both English and Czech or other language) straight
- Summarize basic technical terms for the topic (keywords), their synonyms, both hypernyms (more general) and subordinate (more specific) terms
- Select information resources
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- Browse electronic databases in CTU library and their content
- Think of other libraries having academic literature that may serveyour topicConsider which standards and patents might be used
- Find out which options of search for scientific literature are provided by the search engines (those focused on scientific and research information – e.g. Google Scholar or Vivisimo)
- Prepare your search query
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- Formulate your search query
- Go through the search systems in catalogues and databases, and options of the Internet search engines
- Decide which fields you enter your queries. Read the Help (or Search Tips etc.) and learn how to use logical and proximity operators
Search results
Saving your search results
- Once you find a reasonable amount of corresponding documents, store their records or their full texts.
- If there are no full texts available for the retrieved documents in the library or specialized databases, contact a Central Library staff memebr. You may use Inter-library loan service (ILL) if you need a book or Electronic document delivery (EDD) service if you need an article.
- Some of the databases and catalogues allow exportation of the citation (bibliographic reference) of the specific document record into citation manager or its sending by e-mail. That will make your work easier when organizing your database.
Organizing your personal file and/or database
- If you are writing any kind of article or longer paper, it is always helpful to gather all information in one place, where you can sort and organize it as you please.
- The personal files can be of any form (paper cards or electronic list). There are also special softwares and tools which make your work with your information resources easier (see Citation managers).
Example
Scientific publications in different languages are available in electronic databases. Records (description) and abstracts of these publications are enregisterd in English. Preparing your search query, find related, broarer and narrower terms, keywords for the topic.
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Topic:
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Firefighting mobile robots
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Related terms or synonyms:
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robots for fire-fighting, mobile robotic systems, tracking mobile robots, automated guided vehicles (AGV)
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Boarder terms:
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robotics, robots, fire protection, rescue operation, hazardous environment
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Narrower terms:
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wheeled mobile robots, double-track mobile robots, climbing mobile robots
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Getting full-text:
In case full-text is not available in the CTU subscribed databases, use the following services:
Books (ILL)
Journal articles (EDD)
Consultation service
If you are not sure whether you do your search correctly or you are not successful at finding relevant information resources, you may use library conslutation service and discuss it with a member of library staff.
