Keywords are the words you type into a search box to search for information on your topic. The words you use to describe your topic may be different from the words used by scholars. For example, a scientist researching probiotics might use the more specific scientific terms Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium.
Try conducting background research to identify scientific terms and other keywords related to your topic. Use Google or Wikipedia as a starting point, or use the following reference database (from off campus, you will be prompted to log in with your Pipeline username and password):Keywords are the words you type into a search box to search for information on your topic. The words you use to describe your topic may be different from the words used in the library catalog (OneSearch) and library databases. For example, another way to describe teenagers might be adolescents.
Watch the video below for a short tutorial on keywords, including some good strategies for combining them effectively. If you have trouble finding information on your topic, ask a librarian for help choosing successful keywords.