Follow all the steps to create a thorough search plan. For a basic search, you may need just one or two steps.
Create your search plan
1, Identify the key concepts
Look for the major concepts and keywords in your assignment question.
2, Think of other words for each concept
There may be synonyms or related terms for your concepts. Note down any related words alongside each concept. Put OR between the related words, and AND between each concept.
3, Use symbols to get better results
Put speech marks (" ") around two or more words to keep them together as an exact phrase.
Use * to stand for any letters at the end of a word, to get different variations.
4, Put it all together
Here’s an example search plan using keywords, related words, * and phrases:
(“sustainable energ*” OR “renewable energ*” OR “solar energ*”)
AND (health* OR well-being OR wellness OR fitness)
AND (“developing countr*” OR “lower")
5, Come back to your plan if needed
If results are not what you expected, revisit the steps and adjust or fine-tune your approach.
Watch our video guide to plan your search
Use your plan to start searching
You can now enter your search into Discover and other databases. Most give you the option to use more than one search box, so you can put one concept in each box.
Go to Discover advanced search
Select another database to search in
Advanced search
If you are a researcher, you may need to use more advanced search options.
Ask a librarian about search planning
We're here if you need help making a search plan. Ask a librarian at a service point in your campus library, make an appointment online, phone or email.
Auckland campus library
- Library@massey.ac.nz
- Free phone inside New Zealand
- Phone outside New Zealand
- Location
Postal address
Library
Private Bag 102904
North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland 0745Physical address
Library
Gate 1, East Precinct
Albany Expressway (SH17)
Albany
Auckland 0632
Manawatū campus library, Palmerston North
- Library@massey.ac.nz
- Free phone inside New Zealand
- Phone outside New Zealand
- Location
Postal address
Private Bag 11054
Palmerston North 4442Physical address
Tennent Drive
Palmerston North 4410
Wellington campus library
- Library@massey.ac.nz
- Free phone inside New Zealand
- Phone outside New Zealand
- Location
Postal address
Massey University Library
Private Bag 756
Wellington 6140
Physical address
Massey University Library
Block 5
63 Wallace Street
Wellington 6021
Remote and distance contacts
- Library@massey.ac.nz
- Free phone inside New Zealand
- Phone outside New Zealand