hakustrategia

Hakustrategia, literally “search strategy” in Finnish, is a planned approach for locating information, opportunities, or resources. It is used across research, information management, recruitment, and procurement to improve the efficiency and quality of results.

A hakustrategia defines the goal, scope, and criteria for what counts as relevant, and prescribes which sources and search tools to use, as well as how results will be screened and evaluated. Key elements include formulating the main question or objective, selecting information sources (databases, catalogs, archives, and the open web), and creating search queries with keywords and operators. It also outlines inclusion and exclusion criteria, a screening workflow, documentation of decisions, and plans for iterative refinement.

In academic contexts, the hakustrategia underpins systematic literature searches and reviews, helping ensure comprehensiveness and transparency. In professional settings, it guides outreach and screening in recruitment, supplier scouting in procurement, or market intelligence gathering.

Development typically begins with a pilot search to refine terms and sources, followed by broader searches and meticulous recording of decisions. Evaluation focuses on relevance, coverage, efficiency, and the balance between recall and precision, while respecting data protection and ethical considerations.

Related concepts include information literacy, information retrieval, systematic reviews, and general research methodology. The term emphasizes a structured, transparent process for finding and selecting information or opportunities.