1. Plan your search and search strategy - CSA Marieta Buys 24 Jan 2008

2. Analyse your topic: Read the assignment topic carefully Analyse the topic “History of the democratisation of SA constitution: 1996 – 2007.” What?, When?, Where?, Who?, Why?, How? Prepare a search strategy Eg. (constitution or democra*) AND “south africa” Clarify any unknown or unfamiliar terms or concepts. If necessary re-state the topic -use simple words and phrases that are meaningful to you.

3. Different searches Easy / Quick or simple search Advance Search Command or Expert Search Using Free of Natural language Using Controlled language / Index / Thesaurus

4. Limitations Year Language Peer review Journals Title Descriptor / Ect.

5. Boolean Search: OR constitution Democr* Democracy Democratisation Democratization

6. Boolean Search: AND constitution South Africa Democr* Democracy Democratisation Democratization

7. Boolean Search: NOT constitution South Africa Democr* Democracy Democratisation Democratization Swaziland

8. How to select a specific database and Why Topic Subject – Home page Books / journals / book reviews / Peer review journals National / International Assignment / Dissertation Time available

9. CSA - Cambridge Scientific AbstractsCambridge Scientific Abstracts International Platform with multidisciplinary databases Books, Chapters, Essays Peer Review Journals Journals references – Linking to Full text Conferences Scholars Dissertations Accredited Websites

25. When a Journal is not full text on SABINET

26. Where do I find the info I need:  Dictionaries & Encyclopedias  Textbooks, Theses and dissertations  Conference proceedings, company reports, People  Journals  Databases  Newspapers & Magazines  Internet

27. Evaluation CARS Checklist for Research Source Evaluation Credibility  Trustworthy source  Accuracy  Reasonableness  Support

28. Evaluation  Trustworthy source, the quality of evidence and argument, author’s credentials, evidence of quality control, known or respected authority, organizational support. Goal: an authoritative source; a source that supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it.

29. Evaluation Accuracy Up-to-date, factual, detailed, exact, comprehensive, audience and purpose reflect intentions of completeness and accuracy. Goal: a source that is correct today (not yesterday); a source that gives the whole truth

30. Evaluation Reasonableness Fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest, absence of fallacies or slanted tone. Goal: a source that engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably; a source concerned with the truth.

31. Evaluation Reasonableness Fair, balanced, objective, reasoned, no conflict of interest, absence of fallacies or slanted tone. Goal: a source that engages the subject thoughtfully and reasonably; a source concerned with the truth.