Writing 10 (Mingua-Lopstain): Key Words & Search Terms

Identify the key concepts in your topic:

Does fast food marketing in schools have an impact on children's academic success?

Brainstorm for related terms:

"fast food"

• "restaurant chain"
• "burger king"
• mcdonald's
• "in-n-out"
• "jack in the box"

marketing

• commercials
• "targeted advertisements"
• ads
• "native advertising"

gender

• men
• women
• female
• transgender

Try Academic Search Complete > Subject Terms to find subject headings for your topic.

• Use a visual thesaurus like GraphWords. Snappy Words, Visuwords, or CREDO's MindMap.
• Use references sources like Credo Reference to get background information and key words.
• Most EBSCO databases have a tool to help you discover subject terms. See EBSCO Academic Search Complete > Subject Terms
• Most ProQuest databases have a tool to help you discover subject terms: See PsycInfo > Thesaurus
• When you find a useful article, look at the database Subject Headings and record them as possible search terms.