What are the right keywords?

Keywords determine the result of your search for literature. Therefore the first question that I was asked by a student at my information literacy workshop two weeks ago was: "How do I find the right keywords for my research topic?" The expectation was that I would show a quick and easy method. And that by simply applying this to our CataloguePlus, the relevant literature would immediately pop-up. Piece of cake. Right? Well... no. Finding the right books and articles is a struggle. That is why I emphasize in my workshops that finding the right keywords is not a quick and easy method, but a process. It takes time to get to know the relevant terminology, authors and resources for your topic. The more you read and know about your subject, the easier it becomes. But how do you start this process? That is the real question.


1. Finding keywords on your topic in

• a handbook or an introductory article on your subject. 
• encyclopedia or dictionary
• thesaurus, a list of keywords like in thesaurus.com A history database with a good Dutch thesaurus is: Digitale Bibliografie Nederlandse Geschiedenis

2. From one keyword to others

• translate the words in other languages, 
• think about synonyms and antonyms, 
• try different spelling (organiSation or organiZation),
• conjugations (prostitute, prostitution)
• broader or narrow terms ("Netherlands" instead of "The Hague")

3. Combining the words that you find in different history databases

With the literature that you find and read, you will gradually discover which:

• are the most relevant keywords, 
• published authors have researched the topic intensely, 
• of the history databases offer the most relevant literature.