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ECON 481-16 Comparative Economic Systems

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How do I structure a keyword search?

Before you embark on your database search, take a few moments to identify keywords, which will be a timesaver for you. Some things to try:

  • Write down any research questions you have about your topic. (How and Why questions provide opportunities for exploration of a topic)

  • Identify the key concepts from your research question (look at the nouns)

  • Write down synonyms for those key concepts

Taking a few minutes to think about and identify some keywords before starting your search will help you search more efficiently, which will save you time (and frustration).

  • Underline main concepts from your research question
  • In each column write down: synonyms, alternate spellings, related concepts 
  • As you research write down new terms you learn or identify as you are searching.
    • Cross off terms that are not effective. 

Example research question: What is the impact of ban-the-box policies on the employment of people convicted of a felony?

(Identify the keywords in this research question)

impact ban-the-box policies employment convicted felon 
 influence  fair chance 

job applications

 criminal record

change

removing barriers

employer

criminal history
alter hiring practices job postings arrest history
  fair hiring  applicant  
  delaying background checks job seeker  
       
 
Tips Examples
Use keywords, not long search phrases

 

Instead of searching for "How do prison gangs enforce rules within prisons?

break down your search into the main keywords:

Prison gangs, enforce, rules

To get more focused results:

Use quotation marks (" ") to keep phrases together

Use AND to combine different keywords

 "prison gangs" AND rules

To get broader results:

Use OR to combine similar/associated keywords

Truncate words that have a                          variety of endings with a *

"prison gangs" AND (rules OR control OR enforce) AND "flow of contraband"

 

enforc* = enforced, enforces, enforcement, enforcing
Look for ways to limit your search in the database You can often limit by type of article (scholarly and peer-reviewed) & year of publication