After reviewing the material on this page, you will be able to
Before heading to the library databases to search for scholarly information pertaining to your topic, it is good to sit down and think about what you are looking for. Write your research topic or question down and determine the main concepts. The main concepts will use language directly from the topic or question. Then, think about what other terms (synonyms or related terms) might be used for the main concepts. There is no one right way to do this, and there need not be related terms for every concept. You do not have to search for every single related term you have come up with. You just want to make sure you are not missing an important alternative concept that a researcher might use to describe an element of your topic or question. Here is an example of a research topic broken down by your librarian.
Example research topic: Examine the forage potential of intercropping barley and field peas.
Concepts are highlighted: Examine the forage potential of intercropping barley and field peas.
Here are the main concepts: forage potential, intercropping, barley, and field peas.
Main Concepts | Forage Potential | Intercropping | Barley | Field Peas |
---|---|---|---|---|
Synonyms/related terms | intercrop | Hordeum vulgar | Pisum sativum | |
catch crop | ||||
succession planting | ||||
polyculture |
Your librarian came up with these synonyms and related terms by exploring the main concepts online. There may be other synonyms or related terms. Here is some description about determining these related terms:
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