Learn to Use Business Department Specific Tools

• Realize that government agencies often have their own terminology, jargon and abbreviations. 

Look for glossaries or dictionaries.  Some sites will provide a definition when you hover over a word, others have a specific sub-page, or a section at the bottom of a page.

• Familiarize yourself with the structure of the site. 

Look for a site map, headings, subheadings or breadcrumbs.

• Use advanced search whenever possible
  • Advanced search sometimes hides within site menus.  If you don't see it immediately, look for the main menu.   

• If an advanced search option is not available, experiment in the standard search box with limiters, Boolean logic (AND, OR or NOT) quotation marks, or common keyboard shortcuts.

For example, Google search has replaced the use of the word AND with a plus sign (+), the word NOT with a minus sign (-)

Want more tips for searching Google?

Try Google Scholar

• Does the site offer a tutorial or search tips? 
• Not getting many results?  Try 'zooming out'

  • Think about your question from a broader perspective.  For example, who are the key decision makers related to a particular policy?  What agency is responsible for the field?  Is more than one agency involved?    

  • Try creating a keyword map

• Getting too many results? 

  • Add a limiter to narrow your focus.

  • Focus on a specific population or stakeholder

• Minimize information overload by
  • making your search as simple and specific as possible
  • searching one site at a time
  • using a research journal

Government documents use a specific style of citation which can be difficult to interpret.  

Check out this straightforward explanation by Government Librarian Jen Kirk at Utah State University for help.