Everyone knows that research is a process of trial and error. Finding research terms that work can be the difference between a puddle and an ocean of information. The process described below is simple, and having a plan is worth the two or three minutes.
Let’s say you have a topic: Euthanasia
And a research question: Should euthanasia be legalized for terminally ill patients?
- Note key words from your question: euthanasia, legalize, terminally ill
- Write down related areas or synonyms that are broader: AMA, mercy killing, moral issues, patient examples
- Write down related areas or synonyms that are narrower: Dr. Kevorkian, Hippocratic Oath, methods/devices, Karen Ann Quinlan, Terri Schiavo
- Any of these terms or combination of these terms will work, but you may want to narrow it down to your five best terms: AMA, mercy killing, Dr. Kevorkian, Hippocratic Oath, Karen Ann Quinlan
