ENG104: Introduction to Research Writing: Keywords & Searching

Keywords are simply those words you type into the search box to get the results you want. Just like in Google, you don't type your whole question, just the important words or terms that will help you get the answers. You must remember to treat the search engine like a computer. Use nouns (people, places, things, ideas) instead of verbs (actions). Verbs and adjectives (descriptors) are about relationships between things and search engines don't understand that.

Step 1: Video

This video will walk you through a few different keyword strategies as well as explain why keywords are important and how we'll use them to search.

Keyword Pyramid
Keyword Worksheet

Step 1: Video

Image referenced in above video. Image is titled Keywords. There are three boxes in a line across the middle of the image. The middle box is labeled topic. The ones on either side are labeled synonym. An arrow points from each of these boxes toward a large box at the top labeled broader terms. There are also arrows from each of the middle boxes pointing toward a large box at the bottom of the page that is labeled narrower terms.

A slide with the same design as the previous slide. 3 boxes across the middle of the slide. With one larger box to the top. The middle boxes are labeled disparity, discrimination, and inequality from left to right. Arrows from each point up toward the large box on top labeled inequity, showing this topic is broader than the ones in the middle. An arrow from the box labeled disparity points to a box below it to show the topics inside are narrower. The topics are gap, "pay gap", and "wage gap." The box in the middle labeled discrimination has an arrow pointing to a box below it. That box has topics in it like sexism, and gender discrimination.

A slide titled keywords. There is a large triangle on the slide. It is spit into three tiers. The top tier is labeled Topic Narrowing Phase. The example inside that tier is "Hurricane Katrina." The middle tier is labeled Research Question Development. Inside this tier are the phrases "New Orleans" plus education plus "charter schools." The bottom and largest tier is labeled Ask and Answer. There are many words and phrases in this tier. They include segregation, race, diversity, post-katrina, and "school choice." Around the triangle are tips for developing keywords. They include start broad to see what you can find, especially if you don't know much about your topic. Use the results for more keywords, use synonyms and phrases. Try using multiple combinations of the terms to get different results. And keep and eye out for people, places, events, and discipline specific words or phrases.

A slide titled Developing Keywords. There is a place to put your own research question at the top. Below that are 3 different columns labeled Concept #1, Concept #2, and Concept #3. In the middle of each column is a box to put your concept. There are slots above and below each of these to write broader terms above and narrower terms below.

A slide labeled Keyword Concept Maps. There is a small box at the top to put your research question. Below that are 3 empty hexagons for students to create concept maps of their topics in.

Step 2: Activity

Step 3: Video

This video will walk you through the process of selecting a topic, refining your research question, and how keywords can help you with both finding resources as well as narrowing your topic.