Getting Started - keywords, databases, and questions - Stewart - Junior Theme Research Guide - LibGuides at Oak Park and River Forest High School

Research Basics

Keywords, or Search Terms, are the words and phrases typed into a database or search engine to retrieve relevant sources.

How to select keywords:

Start with an issue that interests you:
- EXAMPLE: the effect of factory farms on global warming
Brainstorm synonyms, related terms, broader terms, scientific/technical terms, and more specific terms based on your own background knowledge:
- EXAMPLE:
  Farming, agribusiness, water pollution, algal blooms, health, drinking water, feedlots
Avoid the following:
- Abbreviations - spell them out (Environmental Protection Agency, not EPA)
- Relationship words - words like compare, contrast, causation, etc.
- Judgement words - words like best, worst, pro, con, etc.
If needed, search Wikipedia and other reference sources to further develop your list of keywords.

Create your research question.

After conducting background research, determine what aspect of your topic to investigate.
- Consider the issues, mystery, debate, problem, or controversies.
- What interests you? What needs to be solved?
Create a concept map or a list of ideas.
Use the six Ws (& How), if needed, to help create a question:
- Who
- What
- Why
- When
- Where
- Which
- How
Be sure it is neither too broad nor too narrow.
You will eventually develop sub-questions that support your primary question.
You may find your primary research question changes after doing research. That's okay!