Identifying main concepts
Moving from a Research Question to Concepts and Keywords
Once you have identified an interesting nutrition controversy and some background, identify the key concepts and keywords that you'll use to search the scholarly literature.
Be precise. Identify the most important concepts in your research question.
Keep in mind the concept of dependent and independent variables. In our example, obesity is the independent variable because it is the input or cause. Dependent variables, like diabetes, represent the output or effect.
VIDEO: How To Develop Keywords (U of Houston)
Identifying keywords
Now identify synonyms and related terms. From the background readings you have already identified and from what you already know about the topic, identify synonyms or terms that are related to your key concepts.
Concept Mapping
Use this to build a concept map and break your research question down into concepts and keywords.