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Research Process

Get help with any part of the research process.

Keywords are what you type into a search box. Choosing the best ones is a little like finding the right key to a room and unlocking the information you want!

Make a List

Keywords can be easily be identified by scanning:

You can also try:

  • Use a thesaurus (Microsoft Office, print or online) to identify synonyms
  • Find pictures related to your topic, then describe the picture
  • Brainstorm keywords with a librarian, your instructor, or a friend
  • Think of how you would #hashtag a Twitter or Instagram post about your topic

Brainstorm the key concepts and terms used to talk about your topic, including synonyms, narrower terms, and broader terms. Try different combinations until you find relevant information.

Make a list or use the document below to keep track of keywords related to your topic - these are what you will use to search the internet or a library database.