ENGL 127 Research Writing: Social Sciences

For students doing research on social science topics

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

Map your concept & areas for 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 to address in your essay

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

Identify Strong Keywords for Effective Research

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

Create your Keyword Map

Use the worksheet below to begin to map out words that capture what you know -- and what you want to know. 

  • Think about the Who, What, Why, When, Where, & How of your starting focus and research question. 
  • Add to your keyword list as you discover other useful concepts.

Use Reference to Build your Starting Keywords

Library databases can help you explore your starting topic.

  • Type in a starting keyword or keyword phrase.
  • Skim the results list, the Subject filters, and relevant articles to discover dimensions of your topic and key terminology. 

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!