Literature Review: Keywords

Take a few minutes to think about what you are looking for before you start searching.  Identifying keywords relevant to your topic will help you find relevant results. 

For example, what kind of keywords might you use to find research on El Centro residents learning how to use a mobile app to do their laundry? 

Instead of using keywords like laundry app, payrange, or El Centro, you might need to zoom out and search for literature on the larger issues you are addressing.  Some keywords related to those larger issues might be:

  • Mobile applications, mobile apps, smartphone app, smartphone technology, digital health tools
  • Self-management, self-care, health management
  • Quality of life, well-being, self-esteem
  • Senior, older adult, aged, geriatric
  • Unhoused, ill-housed, housing insecure, homeless

 

Searching

Once you have identified keywords relevant to your topic, use these search tips to combine your keywords for a more effective search.

Use AND to narrow your search

Boolean search using the keywords seniors AND mobile apps

 

Use OR to broaden your search

Boolean search using the keywords mobile app OR smartphone apps

 

Use QUOTES to search for a specific phrase

Advanced search using the keywords seniors OR older adults OR elderly OR geriatric AND "mobile app" OR "smartphone app" AND health