Before searching, identify keywords. These are the main ideas or concepts of your topic question. Keep a list of these words because you will use them when searching for information on your topic.
You will also want to come up with related terms in order to expand your searching.
Example topic question:
What is the effect of peer pressure on a teen's body image?
Keywords | peer pressure | teen | body image |
Related terms | peer influence peer relations cliques peer attitudes social influence sociocultural factors | adolescent adolescence teenager high school boys/girls | physical appearance self concept self esteem self image |
When searching, string your keywords together with “and” rather than entering the entire research question. Mix and match terms depending on results.
Example: peer pressure and adolescence and body image
