Dissecting your research question helps you to identify the keywords or concepts to use when you search for information from articles and books. To dissect your research question:
- Print or download a copy of the "Dissect Your Research Question" handout linked in the box below. You can also view a completed sample worksheet.
- Complete Step 1 on the worksheet:
- Write down your initial research question.
- Underline the keywords in your research question. (You should have two or three.) These are the words in your research question that are most important. They can be a single word or a short (2-3 word) phrase.
- Complete Step 2 on the worksheet:
- Write your keywords in the three boxes in the column labeled "Main Keyword," putting each keyword in a separate box.
- Brainstorm synonyms, narrower keywords, and broader keywords and write your alternative keywords in the boxes the correspond with the associated main keyword.
- Complete Step 3 on the worksheet:
- Choose a keyword from each row and then add each selected keyword to its own search box when searching in a database.
- Complete Step 4 on the worksheet:
- Write down any new keywords that you discover as your search and find sources.