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Fullerton College Library

Geography 102 - Lopez/Kageyama

Simplify the research process with these four habits

How do you find relevant sources?

Habit 2: Think Key Concepts

  1. Looking at the questions you generated, pull out the most important concepts.
  2. Add similar, narrower, broader, and related terms that will expand your search for relevant information.
  3. Use these key concepts and their synonyms to locate relevant sources.

Take this question: What are the problems and solutions for food waste? 

  • What are the key concepts? problems, solutions, and food waste

What are some similar, narrower, broader, and related terms for these key concepts?

  • food waste: food loss
  • problems: landfills or methane
  • solutions: reduce or consumer education or consumer awareness

Key Concepts and Their Synonyms

Key Concepts and Their Synonyms

Answer the following questions to test your understanding:
Is societal collapse a synonymous term for civilization collapse?
yes: 7 votes (58.33%)
no: 5 votes (41.67%)
Total Votes: 12
Is environmental damage a similar term for environmental degradation?
yes: 5 votes (83.33%)
no: 1 votes (16.67%)
Total Votes: 6
Which is NOT a more specific term for environmental degradation?
deforestation: 0 votes (0%)
water pollution: 0 votes (0%)
social inequality: 6 votes (100%)
Total Votes: 6