Search terms

Next, let’s talk about how to figure out what words to enter in the boxes in your library database. The words you enter are called search terms.

Stop and Think

 How do you think up the words you enter into an everyday Google search?

Generate a list of search terms

The search terms you use in a library database like MEDLINE with Full Text can make or break your research. Search terms help you find articles that are relevant to your topic. It can be hard to know what search terms to use.

Make your list search terms:

1. Get a piece of scrap paper.
2. Write a sentence about your research topic.
3. Next, circle the most important words from this sentence. These are your main search terms. You could stop now and type these into the search boxes in a database, or in Google, but to be a good researcher, you need to take extra steps:
4. Now, for each important word, come up with at least one synonym.
5. Then, for each important word, come up with at least one narrower word or phrase.
6. Finally, for each important word, come up with at least one more broad word or phrase.
7. Try them! Enter your search terms in a Google site:.gov search, and in a library database or two.