Sometimes, you find exactly what you need with your first search. But it often doesn't work out that way! Try this step-by-step brainstorm before you search the library catalog or databases.
1. Save time, prepare to research!
- Break your research question into key concepts (you'll connect these in your paper to make an original argument)
- For each of these concepts, brainstorm multiple keywords
Sample Topic:
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Depictions of gothic and grotesque in comics with female protagonists
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Key Concepts
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gothic & grotesque
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comics
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female protagonists
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Related Keywords
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horror
terror
supernatural
monster*
mysterious
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comic* (strip OR book)
graphic novels
sequential art
manga
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(wom*n OR girl* OR female)
gender
(main OR lead) character
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- Try this keyword tool to brainstorm online and send the results to yourself.
- Search the Credo Reference database for a topic-mapping tool to help you brainstorm synonyms and related concepts.
2. Combine keywords using AND and OR:
- Too many results? Try using quotation marks around an exact phrase. Ex: "female protagonists"
- Still too many results? Narrow using AND. Ex: female AND protagonist*
- Too few results? Broaden using OR. Ex: (wom*n OR female*) AND (protagonist OR "main character")
- Put parentheses around synonyms.
- The asterisk finds multiple endings from a root word. Ex: wom* will bring back women, woman's, wombat, etc.
3. Brush up on the search tools available: