Make a list of search words.
To begin to search successfully you must use a variety of words that relate to your topic
- Think of the different words and phrases that people might use when they discuss your topic. Start with what you know.
- Consider broader and narrower words, and synonyms or related ideas.
- Consider point of view. In other words, think about how to approach your topic with words that reflect different perspectives and audiences. For example:
- formerly incarcerated people vs. former offenders vs. prisons vs ex-cont)
- As you search, write down additional key words that you come across in your background research and in the scholarly journals databases. The chart below is an example of the exercise.
