Keywords help you unlock the information you are looking for by tapping into the database record so the info can be retrieved.
Often the words are assigned by many different people; authors, editors, reviewers, and database vendors all play a role in assigning the words to articles that help you retrieve them.
All research starts with a question. To begin, you need to break down the question into keywords that will let you get the information you need to build a knowledge base of literature to answer the bigger question.
To break down a research question effectively, consider the following steps:
Identify the Key Concepts: Examine the research question and identify the main ideas, themes, or variables that are important to address.
Determine the Relevant Aspects: For each key concept, think about the different aspects, perspectives, or facets that might be relevant to your research. These can become additional keywords.
Consider Synonyms and Related Terms: Brainstorm synonyms, related terms, and alternative ways of expressing the key concepts and facets. This will help you capture a broader range of relevant information.
Test and Refine the Keywords: Try out your keywords in sample searches and evaluate the results. Adjust your keywords as needed to improve the relevance and completeness of the information you find.
The literature review is the information that gives you the big picture for answering the question.
Question: Does alcohol provide health benefits if used in moderation?
Possible Keywords:
Notice the the keyword examples do 3 things,