Sample Keyword Worksheet

Prof. Jean Amaral

The following is a process for going from the research question to keywords which you will use in searching
library databases.

Research question:
How has mobile technology changed how teenagers
communicate in the United States?

Circle the important words or phrases in your research question. Write your circled words, one each, in the
boxes below, and then list synonyms for each keyword.

Search Keywords Synonyms/Alternative Terms for Each Keyword
mobile technolog* OR Cell phone*, smart phone*, tablet*
AND
teenager*
OR teen*, adolescent*, youth
AND
communicat* OR relate, interact*

AND focuses or narrows your search by requiring that all the keywords (which are different concepts) be
present in the information retrieved.

OR (is more) broadens your search by requiring that any of the words (which are synonyms for the same
concept) be present.

* The asterisk is called truncation in library research and tells the database to include variations of the word in
the search (e.g., teen* will retrieve information that includes teen, teens, teenager, teenagers).

Use the terms above to search for information in Academic Search Complete or other databases.



Keyword Worksheet
Prof. Jean Amaral

The following is a process for going from the research question to keywords which you will use in searching
library databases.

Your Research question:






Circle the important words or phrases in your research question. Write your circled words, one each, in the
boxes below, and then list synonyms for each keyword.

Search Keyword/Phrase Synonyms/Alternative Terms for Each Keyword




AND




AND





AND focuses or narrows your search by requiring that all the keywords (which are different concepts) be
present in the information retrieved.

OR (is more) broadens your search by requiring that any of the words (which are synonyms for the same
concept) be present.

* The asterisk at the end of a keyword is called truncation in library research and tells the database to include
variations of the word in the search (e.g., teen* will retrieve information that includes teen, teens, teenager,
teenagers).