ENGL 127 Research Writing: Social Sciences (Pittser)

This research guide is for students enrolled in Lina Pittser's English 127: Research Writing with a focus on Family, Gender, and Sexuality

Mapping out your Concept, Keywords, and Search Strategies

Develop your topic with a Concept Map.

Source: " Develop your Topic with a Concept Map " by Holman Library is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

One Search for an Overview

Use One Search to get an overview of resources and issues addressed.

Type in a search term and browse the results to get a sense of some of the issues addressed on your starting concept. 

  • Peruse titles in the results list for ideas
  • Use Subject limiters on the left to find subtopics
A little more on concept mapping and keywords:
Source: " Concept Mapping: How to Start Your Term Paper Research" by katmil2020, Standard YouTube license

Find strong keywords to use in your research

Source: " Search Strategies: Finding Strong Keywords for your Research " by Holman Library is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Keyword search strategies (in 2 minutes)

Source: "Online Research: Tips for Effective Search Strategies" by Sarah Clark, is licensed under a Standard YouTube License.

Learn how to use Booleans, truncation, and quotations for effective searching.

Booleans & other Search Tips

You use keywords to search library tools or the web. Keywords are search terms that describe the specific concepts or issues of your assignment theme and/or topic. Here are a few tips about using keywords:

  • Put phrases in quotes:

    • Ex: "gender roles."

  • Keywords have synonyms:

    • Ex: for tv, also try television, television programs ... children's televison, soap operas, broadcasting, media, or popular culture.

  • Strategize both broader and narrower keywords to help you find relevant info and to help you find and focus your exact topic:

    • Ex: Broader for tv = media, popular culture, broadcasting

    • Ex: Narrower for tv = children's television, soap operas, television news...

  • Combine keywords with Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" to get more relevant results.

    • Ex: Use "AND" to combine terms to narrow and focus your search (women AND combat)

    • Ex: Use "OR" to combine terms and broaden your search (men OR masculinity).

  • Truncate to search for multiple forms of a word

    • Ex: teen* = teens, teenagers, etc.

  • Write down the keywords and subject terms you come across as you research! 

One More: Concept & Keyword Development

Step 2: Map out Keywords to use as Search Terms

Keywords are search terms related to your topic

You use keywords to search library tools or the web. Keywords are search terms that describe the specific concepts or issues of your assignment theme and/or topic. Here are a few tips about using keywords:

  • Put phrases in quotes:

    • Ex: "gender roles."

  • Keywords have synonyms:

    • Ex: for tv, also try television, television programs ... children's televison, soap operas, broadcasting, media, or popular culture.

  • Strategize both broader and narrower keywords to help you find relevant info and to help you find and focus your exact topic:

    • Ex: Broader for tv = media, popular culture, broadcasting

    • Ex: Narrower for tv = children's television, soap operas, television news...

  • Combine keywords with Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" to get more relevant results.

    • Ex: Use "AND" to combine terms to narrow and focus your search (women AND combat)

    • Ex: Use "OR" to combine terms and broaden your search (men OR masculinity).

  • Write down keywords you find in your reference and other sources!

Brainstorm Topic Map

Map your concept & research

Use a concept map to lay out different aspects of your starting topic.

This can help you:

  • Identify key words for research
  • Identify a narrower focus for a broad topic
  • Identify subtopics you'll address in your essay

Keyword Handouts

Building Keywords

Use the worksheets below for more tips on keywords and search strategy - and to begin to map out your own!.