Once the main keywords and phrases in the topic are listed, look at each of them and try to generate synonyms, broader, narrower and related terms.
Let’s use the following topic as an example:
“An analysis of the use of cell phones among urban youth in South Africa”
Main keywords
|
Synonyms
|
Broader terms
|
Narrower terms
|
Related terms
|
cell phones
|
cellular phones
mobile phones
|
mobile technology
telecommunications |
Blackberry Curve
iPhone
Smartphone
Nokia N8 etc. |
Nokia
Apple etc. |
urban youth |
city youth
township youth |
youth
adolescents
teenagers |
15 year olds
|
.
|
South Africa |
.
|
.
|
Cape Town
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal etc. |
.
|
** The phrase “South Africa” also acts as the geographic limiter, i.e. urban youth in Botswana or the United States may not be included in the information search
Any or all of these alternative terms may be used in different combinations when searching a variety of resources to find relevant information to complete a well-researched assignment.
You're ready for the interactive quizz on the right →