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Getting Started with Research: Choose Keywords

moon with misty clouds in front

Image by RSvB is licensed under CC PDM 1.0

When you search in academic databases, keywords give you the best search results. Next time you search, instead of typing in a long phrase such as "all the research that shows evidence to prove there's no life on the moon,"  try keywords.

A better search about lunar life would use keywords and look like this:

"life on the moon" and research

 

Tip: Use quotes " " to search for a phrase. Sometimes the database will recognize a phrase even without quotes but by using quotes, you can be sure. This trick works in Google, too!

Research 101: Searching Is Strategic (3:14)