Identify Keywords that Describe your Topic

The key to finding the most accurate and relevant search results is having a proper list of keywords that describe what you are looking for (i.e., your research question or thesis). A simple way to figure this out is by using a "concept chart." This is a visual way to analyze the main concepts of your research question so that keywords can be easily identified. You may find using a thesaurus, dictionary and or specialized encyclopedia helpful for locating alternate keywords. Then insert them into the chart as below and use the AND search operator between each set of concepts to create a search query. OR is used to combine synonyms or words that have the same meaning. Let's look at some examples:
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Research question A: Compare "Contingency Management" and "Theory Z" styles in the United States.

Next break this down into it's main topics and find any applicable alternate terms:
Compare "Contingency Management" / and "Theory Z" / styles / in the United States.

Concept 1: "contingency management"
AND Concept 2: "theory Z"
AND Concept 3: "United States" or America

Possible search output: "contingency management" and "theory z" and ("United States" or America)
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Research question B: What effects do depictions of war on television have on teenagers?
Concept 1: effect* OR "psychological effect"
AND Concept 2: television
AND Concept 3: war OR combat
AND Concept 4: teen* OR adolescen* OR juvenile

Possible search: (effect* or "psychological effect") and television and (war or combat) and (teen* or adolescen* or juvenile)

Tips for creating a search:

• Use an asterisk (*) at the end of keywords to locate variations on its root. For example, compar* will return results containing: compare, comparative, comparing, etc.
• Use double quotes around two or more words to search for an exact phrase
• Find dictionaries, thesaurii and specialized encyclopedias on our virtual Reference Shelf.

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