## Synonyms and related terms

You now know the key concepts of your research question. You could use these concepts as search terms in databases like Google Scholar. But you will find more relevant literature by thinking of synonyms or other related terms for each key concept.

Use English search terms. The most important scholarly articles in the social sciences are published in international English-language journals.

Synonyms and related terms | Broader terms | More specific terms
--- | --- | ---
Climate change Climate crisis | Climate | Urban floods Urban heat stress Extreme weather
Measures Action | Response | Adaptation Mitigation
Municipality Local government | Government Public sector | City council Town council

### Important tips for searching with keywords

- If your search yields very few results, choose broader search terms. If you get too many results, use more specific search terms.

- Make use of the articles you have already found to find additional search terms.

- Searching is not a linear process: keep exploring, evaluating, and refine your research question if needed.

- Document your search process: keep a log of what works and what doesn’t, where and how you searched, and what you found.