Keywords (or search terms) are the words you use to search. They're what you enter into the search box of a search tool, such as Google or a Library database like ProQuest.
Databases such as the ones you will be using for this class provide better results if you use three strategies for entering your keywords. You can search Google more effectively by using the tips at the bottom.
Separate words and phrases with the word AND, like this:
kids AND preschool AND dental
The AND is called a Boolean operator.
Another Boolean operator is OR, which you can use to link synonyms:
(kids OR children) AND preschool AND dental
Notice that when you use OR, you also use parenthesis around the words your connecting (that's important!)
Use quotation marks around common phrases. Quotation marks will keep your words "stuck" together.
"young adult"
"dental hygiene"
"socioeconomic status"
"community organization"
You can search the open web more efficiently using the following strategies.
Limit your search to a specific domain type or website using site:
site:.gov
site:.edu
site:usnews.com
Find websites that have your search terms in the title using intitle:
intitle:"dental hygiene"
Examples:
"dental hygiene" site:.gov
intitle: teeth site:npr.org
Use the asterisk to truncate words. Truncating means that you put an * at the end of the root word.
dental -- looks only for the word dental
dent* -- looks for dental, dentistry, dentitions
More examples:
health* = health, healthy, healthful
adolescen* = adolescent, adolescence
teen* = teen, teens, teenagers
kids AND preschool AND dental
kids AND preschool AND dent*
(kids OR children) AND preschool AND dent*
(kid* OR child*) AND (preschool OR pre-school OR "pre school") AND dent*