Understanding keywords
Search databases using keywords, such as concepts or subject phrases, that are linked together by and, or, not. Once you have identified your topic, selecting your keywords is pretty simple. Stay away from entering sentences or questions.
Divide your topic into concepts/segments/pieces
In the question, "What is the relationship between women's fashion magazines and anorexia?," the concepts are: women, fashion magazines, and anorexia.
Brainstorm for synonyms and related terms
You will need to translate these terms to keywords later when you are searching databases for articles and sources.
Concepts: | women | fashion magazines | anorexia |
Related terms: | woman | fashion models | bulimia |
| female | modeling industry | eating disorders |
Create your search by combining your keywords using and, or, not.
And is used to narrow your search. Results returned will contain both sets of keywords.
Or is used to expand your search. Results returned will return either keyword. A lot of results here. The most.
Not will limit your search, and will exclude a keyword from the results.