KEY
WORDS
Key words are the words or phrases used to search library catalogs, reference and periodical
databases, tables of contents & indices in printed materials, subject directories, and the World
Wide Web for specific information about a topic. The better the key words, the better the
search results will be. Here are some guidelines:
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Very specific key words lead the researcher to only those sources/pages addressing that
specific aspect of a topic, but do not point in the direction of related aspects.
Very general key words tend to yield much unwanted information.
A long list of key words gives the researcher alternative words/phrases to search if
others do not yield any or enough information.
Key words that are successful in some source searches will not work in others, so a long
and varied list of key words can be very helpful.
A key word list begins with important words/phrases found in an overview source and is
continued by the selection of important words/phrases as the researcher uses additional
sources. These words are placed on a list followed by synonyms.
Next, words and phrases that enlarge the topic are brainstormed. Words/phrases that narrow
the topic are selected. Then specific aspects of the narrower topics are explored. Key words
related to those specifics are added to the list. All of these are added to the key
word list. Revision of the list should be ongoing throughout the research process.
Here are some places key words can be found:
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subtopics provided in articles (particularly in reference sources) and textbook chapters
subject headings in library catalog entries (more on this in the catalog tutorial)
important words in summaries (abstracts) of articles located online
titles of pages within a website
tables of contents in print sources
topic narrowing options provided in reference and periodical databases
tag lists in online sources (tag lists sometimes illustrate topic relevance by font size;
sometimes the font size indicates popularity of tag choice)
important words within the text of print sources or the narrative in audio/visual sources
A Sample Keyword List for Biomes
Broad Topic: Biomes
Synonyms for Biotic
Biomes
communities
Narrower Topics for
biomes:
Specific topics for the
desert biome:
Specific topics for
Sahara Desert
animals:
Specific topics for
Sahara Desert plants:
Ecosystems
Biogeograhical
regions
Major life
zones
deserts
temperate
grasslands
savannas
Gobi
Sahara
Kalahari
camels
goats
lizards
date palms
African peyote
cactus
olive trees