Identify the Main Concepts
When searching for information, especially in academic databases, it helps to pull out the main concepts of your research question as the keywords for your search.
Example: What are the effects of student clubs on the mental health of college students?
You would search a database with the keywords/phrases bolded above:
students clubs AND mental health AND college students
Think of Related Words & Synonyms
It is also useful to think about other words that may be used in the articles, books, etc. you are looking for. Think about related words and synonyms for your main concepts. A researcher could have conducted a study related to your topic, but they used the word "university" instead of "college." You don't want to miss that study!
Original Keyword/Phrase |
Related Words & Concepts |
student clubs |
campus organizations, student activities |
mental health |
wellness, mental disorder(s), anxiety, depression, ADHD |
college students |
undergraduates, young adults, university students |
HINT: Googling these phrases/concepts is a great way to come up with related terms and synonyms!
Use a Concept Map