Search terms, also known as keywords, will be used as you look for information resources.
1. Highlight or underline the most important words in your research questions or statements. (Hint: They're often the nouns.)
2. Choose at least two words from your research statements or questions that you'd like to explore further.
3. Write these terms as column headings on your research map.
4. Brainstorm possible synonyms or related terms and write them on your map.
Add to your list of search terms as you go through the research process:
Topic:
| Who? | |
| What? | |
| When? | |
| Where? | |
| Why? |
Focused Ideas: Research Question or Statement
Search Terms / Keywords
Topic: Hint: General topic, doesn't need to be specific.
| Who? | Hint: Who is affected by this topic? (demographics) |
| What? | Hint: Impact or aspects of the topic |
| When? | Hint: The timeframe of interest. If “now” how far back will the info be accurate? |
| Where? | Hint: This could be the United States, a particular area, or a comparison of one or more areas. (May or may not be important.) |
| Why? | Hint: What is the significance or importance of this topic to you or the reader? |
Focused Ideas: Research Question or Statement
Use combinations of words from your 5Ws to create possible focused research ideas.
| Keyword #1 | Keyword #2 | Keyword #3 |
|
Synonym or related term for #1 Synonym or related term for #1 Synonym or related term for #1 |
Synonym or related term for #2 Synonym or related term for #2 Synonym or related term for #2 |
Synonym or related term for #3 Synonym or related term for #3 Synonym or related term for #3
|
Topic: Cosmetic Surgery
| Who? |
teens, celebrities, Pamela Anderson, actors, cancer survivors |
| What? | body image, role model, medical necessity, physical or psychological discomfort, pressure to be beautiful |
| When? | Now (last 5 years?), since 2000, within 1 year |
| When? |
United States, worldwide, Instagram, Los Angeles |
| Why? |
Necessity, cost/expense, bullying, expectations of beauty or youth, health risks, wanting to fit into clothes. |
Focused Ideas: Research Question or Statement
Search Terms/ Keywords
| Teens | Cosmetic Surgery | Body Image |
|
Teenagers Adolescents Young Adults High School Students |
Plastic Surgery rhinoplasty nose job breast augmentation breast reduction |
self-esteem self-worth dysmorphic mental health
|
