One For Wednesday: Keywords & Search

No matter what search engine you're using, the number one factor that guides their algorithms are the terms you enter in the search box. Yet, the one search strategy too often under utilized is identifying and using alternate terms.

​I recommend the concise video tutorial below, created by the UNC Writing Center. All of their resources are great, plus they're creative commons licensed! 

The tutorial models adding synonyms and narrower and broader terms. ​and walks students through the process using their own search needs.

Many students will additionally benefit with strategies for finding the terms they're adding. A few suggestions include:
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• Background Knowledge: Identify terms using "pre" search strategies, such as reviewing reference articles, including Wikipedia, to gain background knowledge and specific terminology used within your topic of study.

 

• Authors Words: Think: Who would write/create what I'm looking for, and what words would they use? These terms may include: discipline specific terminology or time/location/culturally accurate terminology. For example, if looking for information about the Vietnam War, from a Vietnamese viewpoint, you may want to try the "Resistance War Against America"  or  "American War" since these are the terms Vietnamese use to identify what we refer to as the Vietnam War.

 

• Like Terms: Use word based reference tools to identify possible terms. Options include:

Snappy Words Visual thesaurus
One Look: Reverse Dictionary (word for phrase) and Thesaurus
Phrase Thesaurus: Phrase for word.
Wordnik Definitions, examples and related words.

• Advanced Search: Advanced search allows for term filters, such must include all of these terms, etc. Databases and even google allow for advanced searching.

• ​Boolean Operators: are basically advanced search shortcuts:

• Drop downs: Use the drop down menu when searching within databases to gather terms, (in addition to subtopics!).  

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• Running List: Most importantly, keep a running list of search terms to use as new connections and interest areas arise during your Inquiry

More information about search and additional strategies can be found HERE. As always, I'm here to answer any questions and assist you and your students!