Library: Research Skills: Brainstorming

Research Skills subject guide

Quick Tips

Keywords are the main words in the assignment topic that tell you what you need to find information about.

1. Highlight keywords in assignment topic

2. Brainstorm other words or phrases that have a similar meaning

3. Use quotations around two or more words you want to keep together

For example, “online shopping”, "child development"

4. Use an asterisk at the end of a word to search for variations

e.g. lead* = lead, leader, leadership

5. Narrow or broaden your search by adding and taking away keywords

Helpful resources

Assignment planner steps, Deakin University
Step by step approach to planning an assignment

Image by Gustavo Frazao Shutterstock accessed 080823 reproduced with permission.jpg

Developing Keywords, University of Houston Libraries

What are keywords and why are they important?, University of Houston Libraries

Bendigo TAFE acknowledges their campuses are located on the ancestral lands of the Djaara people of the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Yorta Yorta People. The institute respects traditional custodians, Elders and their cultural heritage.

Kangan Institute acknowledges their campuses are located on the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. The institute respects traditional custodians, Elders and their cultural heritage.

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