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Topics

Selecting Key Words and Concepts

Prepare for searching by identifying the central concepts in your research question. Computers are programmed to match strings of characters and spaces and do not often understand the natural language we use with each other. They can't guess what you mean and are easily confused by ambiguity, so clarify for them what you will be looking for. Focus only on essential concepts.

Here are some examples (keywords in bold):

  • Did Mozart incorporate Masonic symbolism into his musical work?
  • Should rock music be labeled?

 

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