Brainstorming keywords to use is one of the most important parts of using databases.
To begin brainstorming you are going to want to identify your topic. Look at the scope of your assignment. What has your professor asked for? Are there any particular details you need to find? Are you curious about a specific subject? If you can try and create a rudimentary thesis or research questions. What do you need to answer in order to complete your assignment? If you need to you can flush out the idea later. What are the main points of your questions and possible thesis?
Those main points can be transitioned into keywords. You can use those keywords to search in the databases at the Library.
Watch the video below to get started.
Once you feel comfortable, you can use the Keyword Activity below to do this exercise on your own!
When you are using the OneSearch, EBSCOhost, or other databases, you will see boolean opeators (AND/OR/NOT) in-between boxes where you can input your keywords.
Use AND for words that you want to be searched together. Like Social Media AND Teens.
Use OR for synonyms. Like Psychology OR Mental Health.
USE NOT for words you do not want. Like Teenagers NOT children.
The asterisk * can be a helpful tool when using a database. It is called a wildcard. Using the asterisk broadens a search by finding words with the same letters. You can only use the * with distinctive words! It will not work with words that do not have multiple suffixes.
For example using teach* as a keyword, will create results with teaching, teacher, teachers etc.
You do not need to use the asterisk on every search. Only when you are conducting a more complex and difficult search.
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