ENGL 201 (McGuinness)

Before you start looking for sources, jumpstart your research in 3 steps:

1. Write down your research question.

2. Circle the main terms or ideas in your question.

3. Brainstorm and add related terms. 

• For example: Gender

-Main key term: Gender

                        -Alternate key terms: Sex, "Gender Identity" "Sexual Orientation"

                        -Aspects to consider: "gender roles", sexism, socialization, discrimination

                        -Combine a key term with an aspect: Gender AND "stratification," Sexism OR "gender discrimination" 

Collect additional keywords and grow your list from:

• The words you read in article titles or abstracts

• The words you see in subject headings

• The words that more specifically describe your focused research question