## 2.2 Collecting search terms

Translate your research question into relevant search terms with which you will search.

Do you find it difficult to come up with usable search terms? Try the following tips:

- Use your mindmap - During your orientation you have searched for and will have found information to add more relevant subjects to your mindmap and with that more search terms to add to your list of search terms.
- Scan relevant articles for keywords – In case you haven’t written down your search terms in the orientation phase
- Use dictionaries to translate search terms
- Use (e.g.) Oxford OTE or Reverso Synonyms to find variations of your search terms
- Check the company website – When researching business information for a company, the company website can provide relevant search terms regarding their products and services.

Sources you can use for your orientation:

Professional/trade literature: Professional/trade literature resembles scholarly literature in that it is typically written by people working in the field, but may be written by staff writers with expertise. You can find this type of literature via the START-box on the library webpage.

Alternatively you can use databases like Business Premium Collection or Business Source Premier.

The Web: Everybody Googles! Googling will help you to:

- Get a feel for your subject / product / market
- Collect alternative search terms / synonyms
- Find stakeholders for your market / subject (e.g. industry associations, trade journals & partnerships)

Tip!

- If you surf the Web, also look for sources, not just data. A lot of information is buried in the hidden Web. Find the relevant sources and then drill down. Ask yourself, “Who benefits from this kind of information?” to help identify these potential sources.