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MPA 6200: Research Methods and Evaluation (Nguyen)

Thinking of Your Research Question in Terms of Keywords

Pull out the most important aspects of your research question 

  • Who
  • What
  • Where

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:

Does crime spike during public emergencies? 

  • Crime
  • Spike
  • Public emergencies

Crime: felony, criminal offense, lawlessness, misdemeanor, wrongdoing, unlawful act, violation of law

Spike: increase, raise, boost, upsurge, escalate, intensify, amplify 

Public emergency: natural disaster, public disaster, public crisis, hurricane, tornado, wild fire, state of emergency

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