Library:Library Research Skills For Biologists/Module 2B/Page 02

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ARCHIVE PAGE: Aug 2015


How Can I Use This?

Learning to brainstorm keywords leads to better searches, which allows you to find what you need more quickly and more efficiently.




Keywords = Search Terms Example


To start your research paper, you need to begin looking for sources. For an effective search, you need to use keywords, which are the building blocks of academic searching. There are two steps to good keyword formation:
  • Pinpoint the main concepts that compose your question
  • Expand each of those terms by brainstorming synonyms, related words and/or variant spellings.


Keyword search - Biology example
Image Credits:

[1] [2]

  1. Bell, J., Maki, J., and Wolff, M. True-Color Image of Mars [online]. Available from http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/pr1999007b/
  2. Zagar, S., KEYWORD example Biology [online]. Available from http://wiki.ubc.ca/File:KEYWORDExampleBiology.png