How to Search with Keywords

Think About Keywords Before You Search

• Saves time

• Gives you better results

  1. Identify and write down a list of Important words for your research topic.
     For example "How do bees work together as a community?" would generate three keywords; BEES, WORK, and COMMUNITY

  2. Take THOSE words and list synonyms under each word. For example, under BEES you could list "honey bees" and "pollinators".

  3. Write down different forms of the words. For example, honey bees can be written as one word (honeybees) or hyphenated honey-bees. "Pollen" and "pollinating" are forms of the word pollinators.

  4. Write down important words that relate to your topic as you read through different sources. Not all important words will relate to your topic so be selective.