Keyword Search

Students and academic staff at universities are always engaged in academic research, writing and publication. To begin an academic research, the first, essential step is to familiarise with the most relevant academic information on a particular topic. One of the research skills/methods that should be acquired and applied to the process of searching for useful academic information is to perform a keyword search.

A keyword search is a type of search that looks for suitable documents or records containing one or more words specified by the user. These specified keywords should mainly be content words (i.e. nouns, most verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that refer to some objects, actions or characteristics). They are words that are necessary for users’ understanding of the main concept in a topic/title/question.

Keywords can be replaced by specific terms or phrases which contain content words and some function words (i.e. prepositions and particles), e.g. ‘English accents in the UK’. This type of search is called phrase search.

General strategies Google Scholar Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4 Rating Form

General strategies of keyword search

Step 1. Read the topic/title/question carefully, and pick out the keywords/-phrases that inform you the main concept represented

E.g. (i) English as a medium of instruction in European higher education

In this example, the underlined words or phrases are the keywords/-phrases.

Step 2. Use Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT To narrow a search, use the operator AND to retrieve records which contain two or more terms.

E.g. (ii) English AND medium of instruction AND European higher education
The three keywords/-phrases in Example (i) above are searched as in Example (ii) here.

Alternatively, use the operator NOT to exclude unwanted words.

E.g. (iii) European higher education NOT secondary education

To broaden the search, use the operator OR to retrieve records which contain either keyword, or both. The two keywords are usually synonyms.

E.g. (iv) higher education OR universities

Step 3. Use symbols or truncations
To search for records of an exact phrase, put the phrase in double quotation marks (“ ”).

E.g. (v) “English as a medium of instruction”

To search for records of a group of terms with similar meanings, enclose each group of terms in parentheses ( ( ) ).

E.g. (vi) (higher or university or tertiary) education and (Europe or European)

To search for records of the variants of a term with a common root but different suffixes or suffixing words, use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard or truncation symbol at the end of the term.

E.g. (vii) “medium of”*
➜to generate results of different combinations of words, such as ‘medium of instruction’, ‘medium of teaching’ etc.

E.g. (viii) university*
➜to generate results of the term with different following elements, such as ‘university students’, ‘university education’, ‘university teaching’ etc.

Or,

E.g. (ix) universit*
➜to generate results of the different terms with the common stem ‘universit*’, such as ‘universit-y’ and ‘universit-ies’.

A question mark (?) may be used to replace a specific number of characters.

E.g. (x) instruct?? or instruct???
➜to generate results of the terms ‘instruct-or’, and ‘instruct-ion’ or ‘instruct-ors’ respectively.

The use of symbols and truncations varies, depending on the requirements of each search engine/tool/database. Users are advised to read the tips/guidelines for search provided on all university libraries’ websites.

Step 4. Refining the search: customising the time range (i.e. the years of publication); choosing the types of content or material (i.e. journal article, newspaper article, book/e-book, conference proceedings, videos, dissertation/theses etc.), the language(s) and the subject terms.

Step 5. Arranging the search results
When the search results are generated, users can arrange them in ways that help identify useful references.

Either ‘sorting by relevance’, which aims to prioritise the search results that contain the most keywords in the topic, abstract/description or content;

Or ‘sorting by date’, which means to prioritise the search results in a reverse chronological order – the most recent results come first.

Notice that strategies may vary according to the format of different search engines/tools/databases. The usage of the most popular search engine, Google Scholar, is illustrated below.

Google Scholar Google Scholar, unlike a regular Google search, limits itself to academic sources. It searches and indexes scholarly literature on the web, including articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions.

A Google Scholar session performed on campus will automatically link to the full text available at the Library. Whereas to start a search session off campus, you have to link Google Scholar to the subscriptions of any local university library in which you are an eligible user.

Detailed guidelines and video demonstrations on how to use Google Scholar are provided on local university libraries’ websites:

CityU - http://www.cityu.edu.hk/lib/instruct/guides/eresguid/gs_liblink.pdf
BU - http://hkbu.libguides.com/scholar/home
IEd - http://www.lib.ied.edu.hk/tutorial/userguides/googlescholar.html
PolyU - https://www.lib.polyu.edu.hk/guides/google-scholar-guide.pdf
LU - http://libguides.ln.edu.hk/google_scholar

Official search tips of Google Scholar are available on its website:
https://scholar.google.com/intl/en/scholar/help.html

Below are the steps to set up the Google Scholar for keyword searches:

Step 1. Go to http://scholar.google.com and click on ‘Settings’.
You are advised to login your Gmail account if you have one.

Step 2. In ‘Search results’ of Scholar Settings, select ‘search articles (include or exclude patents); adjust the number of ‘results per page’; and select the bibliography manager (i.e. BibTex, EndNote, RefMan or RefWorks) to which you may wish to export the citations.

You must have created an account of one of these bibliography managers in order to store the citations from Google Scholar. When you perform any Google Scholar search, you must keep the account of the bibliography manager logged-in for successful import of citations.

You may want to set your preferred language under the ‘Languages’ of Scholar Settings.

Step 3. Go to ‘Library links’ of Scholar Settings, type the name of the university library to which you would like your Google Scholar to link.

Alternatively, enter “Hong Kong” in the search box provided to show the results of all university libraries in Hong Kong.

Check the box of the university libraries to be linked, and click ‘Save’. You may choose up to five libraries.

Your Google Scholar is now set up. Let’s begin the search.

Step 4. Go back to the front page of Google Scholar, and create a search query by entering the keywords with relevant operators and symbols in the search box provided.

Notice that operators OR, NOT and question mark ‘?’ do not work in Google Scholar.

Alternatively, press the ‘downward arrow’ at the end of the search box.

You will see the items for advanced searching in Google Scholar:

The ‘with all of the words’ box is equivalent to the function of AND, in which every single word entered will be included in the search.

The ‘with the exact phrase’ box is for retrieving records with a particular phrase.

The ‘with at least one of the words’ box is equivalent to the function of OR, which is to search for records that contain any one of the keywords entered.

The ‘without the words’ box is equivalent to the function of NOT, in which the words entered will be excluded in the search.

After entering the keywords in the suitable box(es), you may choose the location of keywords at ‘where my words occur’ - either ‘anywhere in the article’ or ‘in the title of the article’.

In addition, you may add details of the author, journal and date to get specific records.

Example

Suppose you are looking for literature on ‘English as a medium of instruction in higher education’ published since the year 2000, you should enter the relevant information in the corresponding boxes in the Google Scholar and click the search button (i.e. the icon with a magnifying glass).

Then, you will see that it takes 0.24 seconds for Google Scholar to retrieve about 13,700 results/references according to the search information.

There are basically 5 parts in each result:

The title of the reference (i.e. article or book etc.)
From left to right: the author, journal/book and the year of publication, and the publisher or source. You may click on each of these items to find other references related to the item.
A short paragraph/abstract of the reference in which the keywords are shown bolded.
From left to right: the number of citations, the link for other related articles, the link to export the reference to the chosen bibliography manager, the button for saving the reference in ‘My Library’ of Google Scholar, and ‘more’ links of other chosen library catalogues for further search.
The link for the databases in which the material is available in different formats (i.e. PDF, HTML etc.) for viewing or downloading. Google Scholar will also provide another link which guides you to check the availability of the material in your accessible library/-ies.

Step 5. Narrow or expand your search by entering different combinations of keywords.

Besides, the column on the left of the search results contains functions which enable you the following:

to refine the search by customising the time range (i.e. the years of publication);
to arrange the results through either ‘sorting by relevance’ (i.e. prioritising the search results that contain the most keywords in the topic, abstract/description or content), or ‘sorting by date (i.e. prioritising the search results in a reverse chronological order – the most recent results come first);
to refer to ‘My Library’ or ‘Case Law’;
to include or exclude ‘patents’ and ‘citations’ in the search;
to create alerts through emails to notify yourself the newest sample articles once available.

Task 1 : Identifying keywords Click on the keywords/-phrases or concepts in each statement provided.

Global warming : a myth or a real danger
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
Is English a language killer ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
Should the retirement age of civil servants in Hong Kong be raised to 65 ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
Should students’ achievement be a factor of grading teachers’ performance ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
How can companies be merged ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
More should be done to protect and preserve endangered animals . Do you agree ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
Should guns be permitted for common citizens ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
Should university students be required to take physical education course ?
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)

Task 2 : The usage of operators and symbols

Is Euthanasia mercy killing or a crime?
(Choose ONE version of search query that shows the correct usage of keywords, operators AND, OR and double-quotation marks “ ” .)
1. “Euthanasia or crime” or “mercy killing”
2. “Euthanasia” and “mercy killing” or “crime”
3. “mercy killing and crime” or “Euthanasia”
(Correct answers are bolded.)
The debatable safety of nuclear power
(Choose ONE version of search query that shows the correct usage of keywords, operators AND, OR, and double-quotation marks “ ” .)
1. “safety” or nuclear power
2. “safety” and “nuclear or power”
3. “safety” and “nuclear power”
(Correct answers are bolded.)
The influence of parents’ divorce on children’s behavioural development
(Choose ONE version of search query that shows the correct usage of keywords, operator AND, asterisk * and parentheses ( ) )
1. (parents and children) and (divorce and behaviour*)
2. (parent* and divorce) and (child* and behavioural development)
3. (parent* and divorce) and (children and behavior*)
(Correct answers are bolded.)
The advantages of breastfeeding on infants
(Choose TWO versions of search query that shows the correct usage of keywords, the antonym “disadvantages”, operators AND, NOT, and double-quotation marks “ ” .)
1. “advantages” not “disadvantages” and “breastfeeding” and “infants”
2. “advantages and breastfeeding” and “infants not disadvantages”
3. “advantages” not “disadvantages” and “breastfeeding”
4. “not disadvantages and advantages” and “breastfeeding and infants”
(Correct answers are bolded.)
Is speed dating a good way of finding a suitable partner?
(Choose TWO versions of search query that shows the more appropriate usage of keywords, operators AND, OR, double-quotation marks “ ” and the relevant word “relationship”.)
1. “speed dating” and “partner” or “relationship”
2. “speed and dating” and “good and partner” or relationship
3. “speed and dating” or “suitable” or “partner and relationship”
4. “speed dating” and “partner” and “relationship”
(Correct answers are bolded.)
Is Hong Hong people’s English standard deteriorating?
(Choose TWO versions of search query that shows the more appropriate usage of keywords, the synonym “proficiency”, operators AND, OR, and double-quotation marks “ ” .)
1. Hong Kong or “English standard” and “proficiency”
2. “Hong Kong people and English standard” and proficiency
3. “Hong Kong” and “English standard” or “proficiency”
4. “Hong Kong people” and “English standard” or “proficiency”
(Correct answers are bolded.)
The problems of aging population in developed East and Southeast Asian cities/countries
(Choose TWO versions of search query that shows the more appropriate usage of keywords, operators AND, OR, double-quotation marks “ ” and relevant terms; with a focus on “Hong Kong”, “Japan” and “Singapore”.)
1. “aging” or “population” and “developed East and Southeast Asian cities” or “countries”
2. “aging population” and “Hong Kong” or “Japan” or “Singapore”
3. “aging population” and “Asian cities” or “Hong Kong” or “Japan” or “Singapore”
4. “problems of aging population” or “developed cities” and “countries”
(Correct answers are bolded.)
The relationship of low-cost airlines and tourism in Asia Pacific regions
(Choose TWO versions of search query that shows the more appropriate usage of keywords, operators AND, OR, NOT, double-quotation marks “ ” and relevant terms; with a focus on “China”, “Malaysia”, “Thailand” while excluding “Polynesia”)
1. “low-cost airlines” and “tourism” and “China” or “Malaysia” or “Singapore” not “Polynesia”
2. “low-cost airlines or tourism” and “China or Malaysia or Singapore or Polynesia”
3. “low-cost airlines” and “tourism” and “Asia Pacific regions” and “China” or “Malaysia” or “Singapore” not “Polynesia”
4. “low-cost airlines” or tourism and “China and Malaysia” or “Singapore not Polynesia”
(Correct answers are bolded.)

Task 3 : Create a search query in Google Scholar – 1

Assuming you are going to search for relevant literature for the given title, complete the following questions in order to create a search query in Google Scholar.

Title: Is Facebook an effective social networking tool or the end of privacy?

What are the keywords or concepts in the given statement?
(Click on the keywords/-phrases or concepts in the statement below.)
Is : Facebook an effective social networking tool or the end of privacy
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
What are the synonyms, related concepts or examples of the selected keywords in Q1?
(Select the item(s) which would help with the search by clicking the corresponding boxes.)

user profile go shopping disclosure

television MySpace read newspapers

online social networks information security social interaction

sight-seeing content-sharing Twitter

(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow)
Select TWO versions of search query which are more appropriate to be used in Google Scholar.
1. “Facebook” and (social network*) and “privacy” or (user?)
2. “Facebook” and “social networking” and “privacy” and “social interaction” and “user profile”
3. (Facebook or MySpace or Twitter) and (social networking and content-sharing) and (privacy or disclosure)
4. (“Facebook” not “Twitter”) and “social networking” or (“information security” or “privacy”)
5. “Facebook” and “online social networks” and “social networking” and “privacy” and “information security”
(Correct answers are bolded.)

Task 4 : Create a search query in Google Scholar – 2

Assuming you are going to search for relevant literature for the given title, complete the following questions in order to create a search query in Google Scholar.

Title: Should rules on television advertising be relaxed?

What are the keywords or concepts in the given statement?
Should : rules on television advertising be relaxed
(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow.)
What are the synonyms, related concepts or examples of the selected keywords in Q1?
(Select the item(s) which would help with the search by clicking the corresponding boxes.)

children advertisement schools

advertising law consumers websites

schools television commercials regulations

mass media The Hong Kong Film Festival public health

(Correct answers are highlighted in yellow)
Select TWO versions of search query which are more appropriate to be used in Google Scholar.
1. "rules" and "television advertising"
2. "rules or television advertising"
3. (rules and regulations and advertising*) and (television commercials and mass media)
4. "rule*" and "regulation*" and "television advertising" and "television commercials"
5. "rule?" and "regulation?" or "advertis*"
(Correct answers are bolded.)

Other search engines/databases for eligible users of tertiary institutions’ libraries

Libraries’ search engines
Every tertiary institution’s library has its own search engine, for examples, CityU’s Library Catalogue 2.0, BU’s and PolyU’s One-Search, IEd’s EdCat and LU’s 1-Search. Each search engine has tiny differences on the requirements of keywords, symbols and truncations to be used. You are advised to refer to the library’s website for the detailed guidelines or tips on how to perform searches through their search engine.
Hong Kong Academic Library Link (HKALL)
HKALL is a ‘union catalogue’ grouping massive collections of printed materials, archives and electronic resources available in the libraries of eight partner tertiary institutions for the shared-use amongst eligible staff and students. The materials can be circulated from any one of these libraries to the library of the eligible member’s respective institution after requests are made.
Databases subscribed by institutions’ libraries
All tertiary institutions’ libraries have subscriptions to a number of databases (e.g. ERIC, EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Scopus etc.) which host electronic journal articles and reviews of various academic disciplines. Searches using these library-subscribed databases are different from those in commercial search engines like Google/Google Scholar. Detailed guidelines on how to find relevant articles in these databases can be found on its homepage or on the websites of each institution’s libraries.

Click the tabs to show contents.

user profile	go shopping	disclosure
television	MySpace	read newspapers
online social networks	information security	social interaction
sight-seeing	content-sharing	Twitter

children	advertisement	schools
advertising law	consumers	websites
schools	television commercials	regulations
mass media	The Hong Kong Film Festival	public health