Library Guides: REL 566: Marian Dogmas: Search Tips

Identifying Keywords

Keywords are the terms that you type into the search box in a library database. They are the essential terms for your idea, the most important words describing your topic.

Before you can begin searching for information in a resource, you need to identify keywords related to your topic.

Key terminology can be be found by scanning:

Your initial research questions
In-class readings
Background research articles from encyclopedias, news articles, popular magazines, etc.
Bibliographies found at the end of books and articles
Specialized vocabulary or terms associated with your topic/field of study
Related, broader, and narrower terms connected to each of the key concepts
Subject terms assigned to relevant works in library catalogs or research databases

TIP: Make a list or use a chart to keep track of keywords related to your topic. Keep it by your side when you start your research. Make note of which keywords return the most relevant results. It's a dynamic process and you may have to experiment with several synonyms.

Where To Search

UDiscover This link opens in a new window
A search tool that lets you retrieve all types of research sources with one search. If you're looking for a variety of sources on your topic, or you're just getting started, UDiscover can help you access more information at once than ever before. It has a Google-like relevancy ranking, but helps you locate scholarly resources.

Google Scholar
Covers scholarly books and articles in all fields. Some citations include abstracts and/or links to full-text. Not always as complete or discriminating as the major disciplinary databases, but easy to use and free.

Subject Headings

Subject headings are a good place to start searching for books and other materials in the catalog, but are not exhaustive. If you're not finding the results you want, try using a subject heading in Advanced Search to narrow subject results by language and date, or try a keyword search to potentially broaden the results.

Tip: you can also borrow subject terms for keyword searches outside of the catalog!