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Criminology

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:

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 

Introduction to Keywords (Walden University Library)

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