Research Databases

Before you get started on your research, it's a great idea to brainstorm a list of keywords for all the key concepts in your research question.

Try some of these steps in thinking of keywords:

• Define your topic - You can't research or write about a topic if you can't articulate what it is.
• Try writing your topic down as a sentence or a question
• Think of keywords to describe each concept involved in your topic
• Focus on synonyms and related terms. What are other ways to state your topic? Is there a specific word that will describe an abstract concept in your topic?

Sample topic: Does the death penalty unfairly target minorities?

Concept 1: death penalty

Alternative Terms: capital punishment, execution

Concept 2: unfairly targeting minorities

Alternative Terms: discrimination, racism, prejudice

Alternative Terms: African-American, Hispanic, ethnic groups

Keyword search allows you to use your own words to describe what you're looking for. This is how you typically search the Web using search engines like Google or Bing.

Subject headings describe the content of an item using terms that are standardized across a database. A subject heading search will return all items on that topic in a database.

To find out whether a particular database uses subject headings, look for a link labeled Thesaurus or Subject Terms. Many databases allow you to search or browse their subject headings.

How do I find subject headings?

• Start with a keyword search, using words/phrases that describe your topic.
• Browse the results; choose 2 or 3 that are relevant.
• Look at the Subject or Descriptor field and note the terms used (write them down).
• Redo your search using those terms.