You Get What You Give Using KEYWORDS in

You Get What You Give Using KEYWORDS in Your Research

Keywords • Specific words you type in search engines • Notice key. WORDS, not key. SENTENCES

How Search Engines Work • Find articles/pages in which EVERY word/punctuation appear* – Words might not appear in order you typed, though – If have a “? ” after a word, will only show page(s) with “? ” after that SPECIFIC word – Engines omit “and” & “the” (common)

So. . . • Don’t use punctuation • Complete sentences NOT necessary • Use quotation marks if you want pages/sites with specific phrases – “Top shelf rhino poop” will only yield pages where this EXACT phrase shows up. . .

Omit These Words a but his an and by are for in is as at be from had have her it not of the

Keyword Vocabulary • Use professional vocabulary of your topic – Use “stellar cartography” instead of “star maps” – “foster care system”+”reform” instead of “foster home” + “changes” – Hyponyms: Ford, Nissan, Dodge – Hypernyms: truck, car, automobile

Finding Vocabulary • How to know the professional (hyponyms) vocab: – Scan/skim the document, look for keywords/phrases that look official, interesting, or specific to your topic

Finding pt. II • Look at “refine” or “did you mean. . . ” functions on browser:

Getting No Results? • Keywords too specific • Check spelling • If using “ “ then try varying the order of the words • Don’t use quotation marks (“ “) if you’re using them

Persuasive Searches • Keywords to include: – Professional terms – “benefits” – “behavior” – “impact” – “environment(al)” – “effects” – “cost”