Before searching for information, you need to identify keywords related to your topic. The keywords you use have an impact on the results of your research.
If the keywords you choose do not give you the results you need, try others. Don't give up after the first search!
Keywords and phrases can be found by scanning:
If you are still struggling, try these suggestions:
Identify Your Keywords:
Select the most important 2-3 keywords. These are terms related to your topic. For instance, let's say you're focusing on animal rights in France. Your keywords could be:
"Maya calendar," apocalypse
Compose Your Search String:
In order to find information in a database, you must create a search string. This is a combination of keywords and search operators (e.g. AND, OR, *) that tells the database the information you want to receive. Here are a few tips:
1. Use quotation marks ( " " ) around phrases (two or more words); this tells the database to look for the words in a specific order.
"Maya calendar"
2. Put the word AND between each new keyword or phrase; this tells the database to look for resources with ALL your keywords.
"Maya calendar" AND apocalypse
3. Put the word OR between two or more keywords to find articles that use common synonyms for your topic.
"Maya calendar" OR "end of the world"
Combining Keywords
When researching, we are like detectives trying to combine the right terms in the right place to find the information we need. This information will help you combine search terms to find relevant sources.
Broad Search:
Search for information using the single most important term related to your topic. Use this type of search when looking for basic background information.
Specific Search:
Search for information by combining key concepts using the words you have brainstormed. Each concept/word should be separated by the word "AND." Use this kind of search when looking for specific evidence related to your claim or thesis.
Getting Too Many Irrelevant Results?
Add more search terms.
Getting Too Few Relevant Results?
Change or remove some search terms.