The Big Decision: Topic or Keyword Searching

One of your first steps in the search process is deciding whether to use a keyword or topic approach. When you are searching a subscription database, like EBSCOhost or Galenet or an online encyclopedia, these choices are clearly marked. If you are searching the web, that means choosing to search either a search engine (keyword) or subject directory (topic).

For each of these examples decide which would be the best search approach and underline the words you would choose as search terms. Note, when one search approach doesn’t work, try the other!

1. The effect of cliques on middle school girls.

Topic ...................Keyword

2. Greek mythology

Topic ...................Keyword

3. Life in the age of the dinosaurs

Topic ...................Keyword

4. Information about martial arts

Topic ...................Keyword

5. The impact of television violence on children

Topic ...................Keyword

6. Censorship and rap music

Topic ...................Keyword

7. Should humans be cloned?

Topic ...................Keyword

8. X-Treme Sports

Topic ...................Keyword

9. Children of the Holocaust

Topic ...................Keyword

10. Hurricane tracking and prediction

Topic ...................Keyword

Back to Virtual Library