1. Statsky’s Cartwheel
American Law professor William Statsky devised this word association method to help generate search terms.
Parallel with recording your terms record the databases you have searched and you will have a fully recorded search strategy.
The cartwheel categories can help you express your search in alternative ways. Bear in mind that some of the categories will overlap.
The following slides illustrate the method in action click on the original search term and follow the method through see if you can add any extra terms. Click on the photo of the cartwheel to go to the main slide.
The most common problems encountered with student searches are inflexible search terms which narrow results prematurely.

2. Procedures and Remedies
Broader Terms
Closely Related Terms
Synonyms
Procedures and Remedies
Narrower Terms
Long shots
Antonyms
Courts and Agencies
Original Term
Click on a category to see an example

3. Insolvency Original Search Term
How many relevant search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for some prompts.
Look closely at your research question identify relevant terms and also the type of answer expected.
Is this an academic discussion or a legal problem question?
This might influence the type of vocabulary you use.

4. Bankruptcy Broader Terms How many other search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.
Investigate dictionaries and definitions.
Thesauri in databases can also help.

5. Estate, Trustee, Creditor, Debenture, Property
Closely Related Terms
Debts, Arrears, Assets,
Estate, Trustee, Creditor,
Debenture, Property
How many relevant search terms did you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.

6. Narrower Terms Administration, Termination, Extinguish
How many relevant search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.
Investigate dictionaries and definitions.
Thesauri in databases can also help.

7. Liquidation, Restructuring
Synonyms
Liquidation, Restructuring
How many relevant search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.
Investigate dictionaries and definitions.
Thesauri in databases can also help.

8. Solvent, Credit, Profit, Cash flow Antonyms
How many relevant search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.
There are two reasons for checking antonyms:
resources might cover or
cross reference your topic.

9. Winding-up, Receivership/ Voluntary Arrangement,
Procedures/Remedies
Winding-up, Receivership/
Voluntary Arrangement,
Liquidator, Administrator
How many relevant search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.
How many relevant search terms did you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.

10. Central Registry for Company Winding Up Petitions,
Courts and Agencies
Companies House,
Central Registry for Company
Winding Up Petitions,
Register of Insolvencies
Look closely at your research question identify relevant terms and also the type of answer expected.
Is this an academic discussion or a legal problem question?
This might influence the type of vocabulary you use.

11. Disqualification Order
Long Shots
Fraud,
Disqualification Order
How many relevant search terms can you think of?
Return to the main slide for more prompts.
Sometimes this type of hunch opens up other areas to search.