Once you have some search results and some keywords it is time to narrow down your topic.
Different authors use different words to describe similar concepts. When searching for information, it is best to use 2-3 concept keywords instead of your entire topic question or a sentence. The connecting words ("operators") used in computer searching are AND, OR, and NOT
Research Question : "What were the social issues related to the development of Ragtime"
social issues | Ragtime |
commercialization | history-1911-1920 |
racism | ragtime music - United States |
race relations |
dance - United States |
(social issues OR race relations) AND (ragtime music OR history-1911-1920)
Research Question : "What factors influence artistic development in women?"
artistic development | women |
vocational interests | gender |
artistic identity | women's studies |
(artistic development OR artistic identity) AND (women OR gender)