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Building a Search Strategy: Developing Your Topic

Planning your search strategy.

Formulating your topic prior to beginning your search can be a good time saver in the end.

Following a process such as the one suggested below will jumpstart your thinking about your topic and provide you with varying terminology, keywords, and perspectives that will save you time and lead to better results as you begin to search for information.

What is your topic?

         Do video games cause violent behavior in children?

What questions do you need answered as you begin your research?

         video games      violent behavior     children

Identify alternative words and concepts for your keywords.

 

video games

violent behavior

children

electronic games

aggression

youth

Grand Theft Auto

violence

juveniles

 

Identify subject areas relevant to your topic.

       Topic: Do video games cause violent behavior in children? 

       Possible subject areas include:  psychology, sociology, education

Print a handout for Developing Your Topic.

Updated: 12/16/08
SKA