Skip to Main Content

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Thinking of Your Research Question in Terms of Keywords

Pull out the most important aspects of your research question -- who, what, where, when, why

  • Use different keywords / synonyms / alternate terms
  • Brainstorm a list or create a word web
  • Use a thesaurus to help you think of alternate words

Example:

Have social media sites led to an increase in bullying among young adults? 

  • Social Media
  • Bullying
  • Young Adults

Social Media: social network, social platform

Bullying: tormenting, hectoring, harassing

Young Adults: adolescent, juvenile, teenager, emerging adult 

Practice!

  1. Click on the activity link above
  2. Select File > Make a Copy
  3. Complete the activity on YOUR COPY
For questions or feedback contact the McQuade Library
Call us: 978-837-5177 | Text us:  978-228-2275 | Email us: mcquade@merrimack.edu