INDV 102 - sections 82 & 83:
Social Issues in America: Library Research Guide
Spring Semester 2008
Pick your Search Terms
Once you've decided on a topic for your paper, the first step is to pick your search terms.
Tips:
- Pull the keywords you'll use in your search from your topic. For example, my topic is: How does binge drinking affect college students' health?
- What are some synonyms or alternative keywords?
- Link together your keywords with the word: AND. Link together synonyms or alternative keywords with the word: OR.
- For help with this process, go to Search Strategy Builder
Use the table below to help define your search
Sample Research Question: How does binge drinking affect college students' health? |
Your research question: |
Key concepts for search: binge drinking college students health |
Your key concepts: |
Alternative search terms: alcohol use alcohol abuse university undergraduates sickness |
Alternative search terms: |
My basic search would be:
- college students and binge drinking and health
When I consider other keywords, other searches might be:
- college students and alcohol use and health
- undergraduates and binge drinking and health
Want more search hints?? -- Look at Search Strategy Builder to help you formulate your search.