A database is used to store information. The information must be retrievable. In the case of library databases, keywords or search terms are used to access the stored information, which includes among other resources e-books and articles.
Sentences or sentence fragments should not be used when database searching. Instead, researchers should use keyword or phrase searching.
Think of words that best describe the topic you are searching. Quotation marks are used to identify phrase searching (for example, "hand hygeine").
Concepts can be identified using various words so it is helpful to identify synonyms or related terms as well. Use narrower and broader terms to decrease and increase results, respectively.
| Keyword(s)/phrase(s) | Soccer |
| Synonyms | Football, Association football |
| Narrower/broader terms | Team sports, ball games, indoor soccer |
| Related terms | Soccer injuries, soccer fields, soccer equipment |
Develop a list of keywords that can be used in a search for information related to the topic nutrition?
Include, synonyms, narrower, broader and related terms.
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