What are Keywords?

Keywords are search terms that describe the main idea or ideas of your research topic. Keywords will help you refine and narrow your search.

Tips for coming up with Keywords:

1. Start with the Assignment Prompt

You can often find keywords in your assignment prompt to help you construct searches.

2. Do a quick background investigation of your topic.

Use an online encyclopedia like Gale eBooks to help you get started and gather background knowledge on your topic. You can access Gale eBooks through Fullerton College's Databases page. 

NOTE: Always check the publication date for the articles. You can get basic information and look for keywords, but always follow up with searches for up-to-date information if the article is somewhat dated. 

3. Identify keywords from search results

Once you start searching in the databases, look at your results since you can frequently discover useful keywords in them. Once you have your article records check in the following fields for more keywords and ideas: 

• Subject Tags
• Titles
• Abstracts or Descriptions

Titles and Subjects Example: 

Take note of the following:

• In the title, graphic designer may also be called "digital designer" so you probably want to try both terms in your search. 
• career is a good term for locating career info
• commercial art, graphic arts, computer graphics might be terms to describe the area of your interest
• in the subjects, VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE is used to describe career information so you should include that term in your search
• You need to click on Online Access to view this particular eBook

Abstract Example:

In the example below, you'll notice that in the Subject and Abstract field, the term METAL FABRICATION is also used. You also get clues that welding is important in manufacturing and defense sectors.

4. Keep it short (avoid long phrases) and Brainstorm synonyms or related terms

Try to start with 3 or less keywords about your subject. You'll also want to avoid long phrases or questions. The databases do not use natural spoken language instead they use keywords. Once you a keyword you are confident in, brainstorm synonyms or related terms to that keyword. You want to try to find different ways of saying the main topic. This way you'll have more results. 

5. Combine keywords using Boolean Operators (AND, Or, and NOT)

Boolean Operators are a powerful tool that allows the user to expand or narrow their search. The user connects keywords by using the words AND, OR, and NOT.