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
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Sample Topic:
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Domestic cats in urban environments
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Key Concepts
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Domestic cats
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urban
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environments
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Related Keywords
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pets
kitten*
(house OR domestic) cat*
Felis Catus
feline
indoor OR outdoor
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cities
metropolis
town
density
populous
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invasive species
wildlife
animal (shelter OR center)
animal control
trap-neuter-release (TNR)
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- Try this keyword tool to brainstorm online and send the results to yourself.
2. Combine keywords using AND and OR:
- Too many results? Try using quotation marks around an exact phrase. Ex: "invasive species"
- Still too many results? Narrow using AND. Ex: cats AND "animal shelter"
- Too few results? Broaden using OR. Ex: (cat* OR kitten*) AND (shelter OR adopt* OR trap)
- Put parentheses around synonyms.
- The asterisk finds multiple endings from a root word. Ex: cat* will bring back cat, cats, etc.
3. Brush up on the search tools available:
