Keyword Search
Keywords describe your topic of research. These can be individual words or a phrase.
When you submit a keyword search to a library catalog or periodical database, the title, subject, and abstract fields are the only parts of the record searched.These fields are called the Basic Index.
Many databases require you to explicitly describe the relationship between keywords using special connectors to associate your keywords in various relationships.
Example: You've chosen the topic "alternative fuels" for a research paper. To help you focus this rather broad topic, you put it into the form of a question or
sentence:
What are the types of alternative fuels being used or developed for automobiles?
Usually, the nouns and adjectives in your sentence or question will give you a good idea of what your keywords will be. In this case, the phrase
"alternative fuels" and "automobiles" are the significant keywords.
From these keywords make a list of synonyms to use as alternatives. Since different writers will describe the same thing using different words, it's good
to arm yourself with a variety of keywords so you don't miss important information.
alternative fuels
automobiles
electricity
ethanol
natural gas
hydrogen fuel cells
cars
vehicles
transportation
motor vehicle
When you submit a keyword search to a library catalog or periodical database, the title, subject, and abstract fields are the only parts of the record searched.These fields are called the Basic Index.
Many databases require you to explicitly describe the relationship between keywords using special connectors to associate your keywords in various relationships.
Example: You've chosen the topic "alternative fuels" for a research paper. To help you focus this rather broad topic, you put it into the form of a question or
sentence:
What are the types of alternative fuels being used or developed for automobiles?
Usually, the nouns and adjectives in your sentence or question will give you a good idea of what your keywords will be. In this case, the phrase
"alternative fuels" and "automobiles" are the significant keywords.
From these keywords make a list of synonyms to use as alternatives. Since different writers will describe the same thing using different words, it's good
to arm yourself with a variety of keywords so you don't miss important information.
alternative fuels
automobiles
electricity
ethanol
natural gas
hydrogen fuel cells
cars
vehicles
transportation
motor vehicle