Keywords represent the main ideas and concepts in your research topic. Keywords tell the database what information you're trying to find. How do you start out finding the right keywords?
When thinking about your keywords, consider words that are:
How do you find peer-reviewed journal articles specifically talking about Memphis? Sometimes, the peer-reviewed article you're looking for doesn't exist. Don't give up searching!
Your topic is most likely happening in other parts of Tennessee, the South, and the United States. Search peer-reviewed journal articles using terms like "united states" or "american south" or "tennessee" in place of "memphis." Often, these peer-reviewed articles will give you information you can use in your background, exhibit, and/or argument. If it's happening in Memphis, it's happening in other cities, too.
Use popular materials (websites, organizations, newspaper articles, magazine articles) that specifically discuss Memphis, and tie in your peer-reviewed articles to points made in those materials.
| Source Type | Can Be Useful For | Can Be Found In |
|---|---|---|
|
Reference Factual overviews and background information for all topics. Written by experts. |
|
|
|
Books E-books and print books from scholarly publishers (like the University of Tennessee Press) |
|
|
|
Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed Articles AKA journal articles, peer-reviewed journals. Written by scholars for the creation of new knowledge & published in academic journals |
|
|
|
News Short or long-form journalism from writers reporting on events at a local, national, or global level, in print, online, or via radio or television. |
|
|
|
Reports & Statistics Information & data published by non-profits, governments, and institutions. Not peer-reviewed, but often important or more recent than scholarly articles. |
|
|
|
Librarians Librarians are amazing at talking to you about your information needs and helping you learn to find information. |
|
|