Identify key ideas from your research question (think nouns)
- Not complete sentences as used in normal conversation
- Leave out minor words such as articles ("a," "an," or "the")
- Leave out prepositions or verb phrases ("on," "in," or "going to")
Brainstorm and/or use a thesaurus to find synonyms
- Example: Merriam-Webster Thesaurus: www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus
Talk to others to help work out your ideas
- It can be very useful to bring another perspective to your work
Record useful terms you found doing research
- Look back at class readings or class discussions—you might find that you've covered a topic or concept that will suggest useful keywords
- Different subjects will often have their own specific terms to describe something
- Collect keywords and subject headings from resources
Keep track of which keywords worked and didn't work, and the sources you find