Research Tips

Keyword Search Tips:

• In Google and Databases always search using Keywords not Questions

  • You’re trying to find great articles that have the answers to your questions - If you’re trying to find the answers, why would you search by typing in the questions?

  • Typing in full questions, long phrases or sentences may lead to few or NO results

• Think (carefully) about the topic and questions you’re trying to explore and write down the keywords that will help you find the main ideas

• Brainstorm and list as many keywords as possible (use synonyms too)

• • Check your spelling

• Don't stop at one search (especially if it isn't very successful), the results are only as good as the keywords you use

• Good Keyword searches usually contain 2 - 4 Keywords (the more keywords you use, the narrower your results)

• Once you find information about your topic, pay attention to words that occur frequently and add them to your keyword list