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University of Texas University of Texas Libraries

UGS 302: New Urban Studies / Lewis

Brainstorm Keywords

Two examples of keyword searches

Don't limit yourself to one search strategy. 

1.) This is very specific. It is looking for articles about poisoning Austin's Treaty Oak (note: poison* allows me to search all endings of poison, like poisoning) 

search for austin and treaty oak and poison*

2) Now, let's zoom out. What can we learn about tree poisoning in general? And aren't we most concerned with poisoning as an act of vandalism?

tress and vandalism or graffiti

You need to zoom out, too.

When you research local issues or very narrow issues, you won't always find a lot written specifically about your topic. That's ok!

Ex. Treaty Oak in Austin

Ask:

  • What is interesting about this location? Why do people care about it?
    • war and peace treaties by specific Native American tribes
    • acorn tea
    • Sam Houston in Austin during the Civil War
  • What broader issues are related to my location? 
    • urban forestry
    • vandalism of trees or nature
    • myth and legend in historical sites

After learning all these things about my location in background information research, I searched these related topics in article databases. This is because there may be little or nothing written about these broader concepts as it specifically relates to my location - that's my original research!

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