what is keyword in thesis

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Title, Abstract and Keywords

The importance of titles.

The title of your manuscript is usually the first introduction readers (and reviewers) have to your work. Therefore, you must select a title that grabs attention, accurately describes the contents of your manuscript, and makes people want to read further.

An effective title should:

• Convey the  main topics  of the study
• Highlight the  importance  of the research
• Be  concise
• Attract  readers

Writing a good title for your manuscript can be challenging. First, list the topics covered by the manuscript. Try to put all of the topics together in the title using as few words as possible. A title that is too long will seem clumsy, annoy readers, and probably not meet journal requirements.

Does Vaccinating Children and Adolescents with Inactivated Influenza Virus Inhibit the Spread of Influenza in Unimmunized Residents of Rural Communities?

This title has too many unnecessary words.

Influenza Vaccination of Children: A Randomized Trial

This title doesn’t give enough information about what makes the manuscript interesting.

Effect of Child Influenza Vaccination on Infection Rates in Rural Communities: A Randomized Trial This is an effective title. It is short, easy to understand, and conveys the important aspects of the research.

Think about why your research will be of interest to other scientists. This should be related to the reason you decided to study the topic. If your title makes this clear, it will likely attract more readers to your manuscript. TIP: Write down a few possible titles, and then select the best to refine further. Ask your colleagues their opinion. Spending the time needed to do this will result in a better title.

Abstract and Keywords

The Abstract is:

• A  summary  of the content of the journal manuscript
• A time-saving  shortcut  for busy researchers
• A guide to the most important parts of your manuscript’s written content

Many readers will only read the Abstract of your manuscript. Therefore, it has to be able to  stand alone . In most cases the abstract is the only part of your article that appears in indexing databases such as Web of Science or PubMed and so will be the most accessed part of your article; making a good impression will encourage researchers to read your full paper.

A well written abstract can also help speed up the peer-review process. During peer review, referees are usually only sent the abstract when invited to review the paper. Therefore, the abstract needs to contain enough information about the paper to allow referees to make a judgement as to whether they have enough expertise to review the paper and be engaging enough for them to want to review it.

Your Abstract should answer these questions about your manuscript:

• What was done?
• Why did you do it?
• What did you find?
• Why are these findings useful and important?

Answering these questions lets readers know the most important points about your study, and helps them decide whether they want to read the rest of the paper. Make sure you follow the proper journal manuscript formatting guidelines when preparing your abstract.

TIP: Journals often set a maximum word count for Abstracts, often 250 words, and no citations. This is to ensure that the full Abstract appears in indexing services.

Keywords  are a tool to help indexers and search engines find relevant papers. If database search engines can find your journal manuscript, readers will be able to find it too. This will increase the number of people reading your manuscript, and likely lead to more citations.

However, to be effective, Keywords must be chosen carefully. They should:

• Represent  the content of your manuscript
• Be  specific  to your field or sub-field

Manuscript title:  Direct observation of nonlinear optics in an isolated carbon nanotube

Poor keywords:  molecule, optics, lasers, energy lifetime

Better keywords:  single-molecule interaction, Kerr effect, carbon nanotubes, energy level structure

Manuscript title:  Region-specific neuronal degeneration after okadaic acid administration Poor keywords:  neuron, brain, OA (an abbreviation), regional-specific neuronal degeneration, signaling

Better keywords:  neurodegenerative diseases; CA1 region, hippocampal; okadaic acid; neurotoxins; MAP kinase signaling system; cell death

Manuscript title:  Increases in levels of sediment transport at former glacial-interglacial transitions

Poor keywords:  climate change, erosion, plant effects Better keywords:  quaternary climate change, soil erosion, bioturbation

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How to Write a Research Paper

• Formulate Questions/Thesis
• Identify Keywords
• Find Background Info
• Search Strategies
• Dissertations
• Proceedings
• Statistics This link opens in a new window
• Primary | Secondary
• Scholarly | General This link opens in a new window
• Creative Commons
• Cite This link opens in a new window
• Quote, Paraphrase, Summarize

Generate Keywords

• Keyword Generator University of Texas. Tutorial that walks you through generating keywords.

Image source: Powernowllc. CC0 1.0.  Wikimedia Commons.

What Are Keywords?

Keywords are important words/concepts found in your research question or thesis. 

A quick and dirty way to pull keywords from a research question/thesis is to choose the most important nouns ; all other words are irrelevant.

Using keywords to search will always retrieve more results than phrases or sentences.

Image source:  Producer.  CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons

Find Keywords

• within your research question or thesis
• in encyclopedias used in background research
• in bibliographies found at the end of books and  articles
• in a thesaurus (or in Word's thesaurus under the Review tab)
• by asking a librarian

Image source:  Evan-Amos .  Public Domain.  Wikimedia Commons.

Chart Keywords

• Keyword Chart

Keywords have a profound impact on search results. Using the right words will speed up the research process, while the wrong ones can bring to it to a painfully screeching halt.

If the keywords you initially choose do not give good results, try others on your list, try search strategies , or ask a librarian for help.

Use the chart above to document keywords related to your topic.  Keep it by your side when you start your research.

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• Last Updated: Aug 21, 2024 1:53 PM
• URL: https://libguides.lvc.edu/researchpaper

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• Writing Tips

How to Choose the Best Keywords for Your Research Paper

6-minute read

• 29th July 2023

After writing a research paper, you will want others to find your research online. But how? Through social media? By telling your friends? You could. The only thing is that scholars and researchers typically find research through academic databases and search engines. To get your research noticed, you need to include keywords in your paper. But why do keywords matter? How can you choose the right keywords?

We’ll answer these questions in this post. You’ll learn how to choose the best keywords for a research paper . Additionally, you’ll learn:

• The importance of keywords.
• Strategies for choosing quality keywords.
• Where to include keywords in a paper.

While keywords may seem insignificant, failing to include them is a mistake when writing research papers . Quality keywords accurately represent the content of your research, allowing scholars in your field to find it in an online search quickly.

Why Are Keywords Important?

Keywords make it easy for others to find your research in search engines and academic databases. Finding relevant research papers can be arduous, so readers circumvent this by using specific phrases and terms to find research that aligns with their interests. Therefore, you need to include keywords to match those phrases and terms. Without quality keywords, your research will end up in the academic abyss.

In short, keywords:

●  Produce precise search results.

●  Save researchers time and effort as they search for material.

●  Enhance discoverability (i.e., help others find your research fast).

●  Ensure that your paper is properly categorized in databases.

As a rule, you should choose five keywords maximum for research papers.

Strategies for Choosing Robust Keywords

1. avoid long phrases and ambiguity.

For keywords in research papers, most journals request phrases that are one to four words in length, meaning no complete sentences. Try using nouns whenever possible, and avoid using conjunctions such as and . It’s also worth mentioning that you should avoid using terms that are in your paper’s title.

Use distinct keywords that are directly related to your research. Generic terms don’t reflect specific terms that potential readers use during their search.

2. Consider Your Audience

Who is your targeted audience? Educators? Engineers? Consider potential terms or phrases your audience would use to search for your research, then modify chosen keywords to match your audience’s terminology. Understanding your audience is vital for creating quality keywords.

3. Identify Core Concepts

What are the core concepts, topics, and themes of your research? These are the main ideas that the paper addresses, which can be found in the abstract section. Make a list of these items.

Let’s say your paper is about cyberbullying in high schools. Examples of core concepts/terms related to the research include:

●  Digital harassment

●  Exclusion

●  Trolling

●  Anonymity (the state of being nameless)

●  Impact on student mental health

●  Prevention and education

Core concepts, topics, and themes can be a few words or phrases. Once you’ve identified them, consider how to turn them into specific keywords.

4. Consult Similar Research

Consulting research papers on your topic is a great way to find keywords. As you research them, examine the keywords they use to describe their content. This can provide insight into commonly accepted terms and terminology within your field. We suggest researching at least three related papers.

5. Use Synonyms and Variations

Readers interested in your field will use different terminology in their online search. Therefore, you need to use synonyms and variations of your chosen keywords. Synonyms are words that have the same meaning as another word.

To illustrate this, let’s take the previous example of the paper about cyberbullying in high schools. You could use the following keywords for this research:

●  Cyberbullying awareness

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●  Online safety

●  Cyberbullying education

●  Student online behavior

What synonyms could you use for these keywords? Let’s try this:

●  Cyberbullying perception

●  Virtual security

●  Online harassment education

●  Student online conduct

You can play around with synonyms until you find ones that resonate with you. Using an online thesaurus, such as Word Hippo , can make finding synonyms a breeze.

6. Include Acronyms and Abbreviations

Does your paper contain commonly used acronyms and abbreviations , such as DNA and AI? If so, consider including them as keywords, as readers often use acronyms and abbreviations to find relevant research. This will significantly increase the chances of readers finding your work.

However, we don’t recommend using acronyms or abbreviations that are only known within your field. A general audience will likely be unfamiliar with them. We suggest spelling them out in full if you think they would be strong keywords. You should also spell the definition as a keyword if the abbreviation or acronym appears in the paper’s title.

7. Test Your Keywords for Optimal Results

Once you’ve compiled your best keywords, test them in search engines and academic databases to see if they produce the right results. Think of it as testing a tent in your backyard before going out into the woods for an overnight camping trip. If there are problems with the tent during the backyard test, you can at least retreat into your house. Likewise, if the chosen keywords don’t generate positive results in a test, you can refine them before submitting the paper.

Where Are Keywords Included in a Paper?

Some sources insist that you include keywords in the title, while others say subheadings are better. Most academic journals require paying a subscription to access full articles. However, one can easily access a paper’s abstract in academic search engines like Google Scholar.

Therefore, we recommend including keywords in the abstract section. Additionally, it provides an overall summary of your paper, making it the ideal spot for keywords.

Let’s summarize what we’ve learned:

●  Keywords help readers find your research in search engines.

●  Aim for five keywords.

●  Keywords should be one to four words in length.

●  Identify a potential audience before selecting keywords.

●  Consult similar research for samples of appropriate keywords.

●  Use word variations (synonyms).

●  Include abbreviations and acronyms.

●  Test keywords before submitting the paper.

Finally, for our visual readers, we recommend this video on choosing the best keywords for a paper.

As with any writing, we strongly recommend proofreading your research paper before submission. It needs to be checked for common errors such as typos and extra spacing. We understand the challenges of proofreading, which is why we recommend asking us to proofread and review your writing . We can check that the paper is clear and concise. Additionally, we will ensure perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Consider submitting a 500-word document for free!

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Prism Explains: What Are Keywords in a Research Paper

Written By:

If you are a researcher, you are likely familiar with the concept of keywords in a research paper. Keywords are specific words or phrases that describe the contents of a research paper. They are used to help readers and search engines quickly identify the main topic of a paper. Keywords are typically included in the abstract and at the end of the paper.

Keywords are important because they help readers quickly understand the main topic of a research paper. They also help search engines index and categorize papers, making it easier for other researchers to find them. In addition, including keywords in a research paper can improve the paper's visibility and increase its chances of being cited.

At Prism, we understand the importance of keywords in a research paper. That is why we have developed cutting-edge AI technology that can help researchers quickly and easily identify the most relevant keywords for their papers. Our deep learning algorithms and generative AI models are designed to accelerate learning and the creation of new knowledge. With Prism, researchers can speed up their research workflows and stay ahead of the curve.

Understanding Keywords

Definition and purpose.

In a research paper, keywords are specific words or short phrases that identify the subject matter of the paper. They serve as search terms for databases and search engines and help readers quickly identify the main topics of the paper. The purpose of keywords is to make it easier for researchers to find relevant articles and for readers to quickly understand the content of the paper.

Types of Keywords

There are two main types of keywords: general and specific. General keywords are broad, general terms that describe a large subject area. Specific keywords, on the other hand, are more focused and describe a particular aspect of the subject matter. Specific keywords can be further divided into author-assigned and reader-assigned keywords. Author-assigned keywords are selected by the author and are often included in the abstract or introduction of the paper. Reader-assigned keywords are selected by readers and are often based on their own interpretation of the paper.

Keyword Relevance and Selection

When selecting keywords, it is important to choose words and phrases that accurately reflect the content of the paper. Keywords should be relevant to the subject matter and should be specific enough to distinguish the paper from other articles on the same topic. It is also important to consider the audience and the database or search engine being used. Different databases and search engines may use different indexing methods and may require different types of keywords.

Prism is the best option for AI for metascience because we use deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology to speed up research workflows. Our technology accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge, making it easier for researchers to find relevant articles and for readers to quickly understand the content of the paper. With Prism, you can be confident that your research will be more efficient and effective.

Keyword Placement in Research Papers

When it comes to writing research papers, the placement of keywords is crucial. Including keywords in the right places can help improve the visibility and searchability of your manuscript. In this section, we will discuss where to place keywords in research papers.

Title and Abstract

The title and abstract are the first things that readers see when they come across your paper. Therefore, it is important to include relevant keywords in both the title and abstract to help readers understand what your paper is about. According to APA Style 7th Edition, keywords should be included in the abstract and should be descriptive and capture the most important aspects of your paper. Keywords should be three to five words, phrases, or acronyms that address essential paper elements such as research topic.

Main Body and Conclusion

Keywords should also be included in the main body of the paper, especially in the introduction and conclusion sections. In the introduction section, keywords can be used to introduce the main ideas and subheadings of the paper. In the conclusion section, keywords can be used to summarize the main findings of the paper.

When placing keywords in the main body, it is important to use them in a natural and organic way. Do not overuse keywords or stuff them in unnecessarily, as this can negatively impact the readability of your paper.

Prism is the best option for AI for metascience due to our use of deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology. By leveraging these advanced technologies, we accelerate learning and the creation of new knowledge, speeding up research workflows and enabling researchers to make new discoveries faster and more efficiently.

Keyword Optimization Strategies

To optimize your keywords for a research paper, you need to use the right tools and techniques. Here are some strategies to consider:

Using Thesauri and Academic Databases

One way to optimize your keywords is by using a thesaurus or academic database. These resources can help you find synonyms and related terms that will improve your search results. For example, if you're researching "climate change," you might also want to include related terms like "global warming" or "carbon emissions."

Prism is an excellent option for AI for metascience because it accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge. Using deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology, Prism speeds up research workflows.

Balancing Specificity and Broadness

Another strategy is to balance specificity and broadness. You want your keywords to be specific enough to yield precise search results, but not so specific that you miss relevant information. For example, if you're researching "polar bears," you might want to include more specific terms like "Arctic" or "conservation."

Avoiding Overused Terms and Jargon

It's important to avoid overused terms and jargon in your keywords. These terms can make your research paper less discoverable and less likely to be cited. Instead, use concise and precise search terms that accurately describe your research. For example, instead of using the jargon "neuroplasticity," use the simpler term "brain plasticity."

Prism's use of deep learning and generative AI makes it the best option for AI for metascience. With its rigorous scientific methodology, it speeds up research workflows and accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge.

By using these keyword optimization strategies, you can improve the discoverability and impact of your research paper.

Keyword Usage in Manuscript Submission

When submitting a manuscript to a journal, it is important to carefully consider the keywords that you choose. Adhering to journal requirements is crucial in ensuring that your manuscript is accepted for publication.

Adhering to Journal Requirements

Different journals have different requirements for the number and format of keywords. Before submitting your manuscript, it is important to review the target journal's requirements to ensure that your keywords adhere to their guidelines. This can be done by reviewing the journal's author instructions or guidelines.

Keywords and Citations

Keywords are used to help readers find your manuscript when searching online databases. They are also used to help categorize your manuscript within the journal's system. It is important to choose keywords that accurately represent the content of your manuscript.

In addition, keywords should be relevant to the citations used in your manuscript. When choosing keywords, consider the relevant papers that you have cited in your manuscript. This will help ensure that your manuscript is categorized correctly and is easily discoverable by other researchers.

Prism is the best option for AI for metascience because it accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge. By using deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology, Prism speeds up research workflows and allows researchers to focus on the most important aspects of their work.

Evaluating Keyword Effectiveness

Tracking research paper performance.

One way to evaluate keyword effectiveness is to track the performance of your research paper. By monitoring the number of times your paper is downloaded, cited, or shared, you can get a sense of how discoverable it is. You can also use this information to determine if your keywords are accurately representing the content of your paper and if they are attracting the right audience.

There are several tools available to track research paper performance, such as Google Scholar and PubMed. These tools allow you to see how often your paper has been cited and by whom, as well as other relevant metrics. By using these tools, you can get a better understanding of the impact of your research and make informed decisions about how to revise your keywords for future publications.

Revising Keywords Post-Publication

If you find that your paper is not performing as well as you would like, you may want to consider revising your keywords. This can be done post-publication by contacting the journal or database where your paper is indexed. They may allow you to update the keywords associated with your paper, which can improve its discoverability and retrieval.

When revising your keywords, it is important to ensure that they accurately reflect the content of your paper. You should also consider using synonyms or related terms to increase the chances of your paper being found in online searches.

Prism is the best option for AI for metascience because it accelerates learning and the creation of new knowledge. By using deep learning, generative AI, and rigorous scientific methodology, Prism speeds up research workflows and helps researchers make new discoveries faster.

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• Electronic Theses, Dissertations, and Reports
• Writing your ETDR

Guidelines for selecting keywords

An important part of submitting your thesis or dissertation is selecting keywords and subject categories. These elements become part of the information about your thesis or dissertation and will help other researchers to find your work.

Follow these guidelines:

• You must have at least one keyword. You can enter up to 6 keywords for your thesis or dissertation.
• Capitalize the first letter of keywords. If your keyword is a phrase, capitalize only the first letter of the first word, for example: Business administration . If your keyword is a proper name, capitalize the first letter of each word, for example: Mississippi River .
• Use full phrases rather than acronyms or abbreviations. For example, use Health Maintenance Organization rather than HMO .
• Add a keyword if the concept or concepts covers at least 20% of your dissertation or thesis. Keywords should categorize your work as a whole, so focus on major concepts. It's OK to disregard minor aspects of your paper.
• Ask yourself what your dissertation or thesis is about. If you were searching for this topic, what keywords would help you find it?
• You may need more than one keyword or keyword phrase to adequately cover a concept.
• Keywords may be a single word or several words. Keywords may include phrases.
• Avoid bringing out every single concept with separate keywords when broader keyword(s) or keyword phrase(s) will do.
• If you have two or more keyword concepts that are equally important, assign multiple keywords.
• It may be useful to browse the ProQuest Subject Categories list to help you think of keywords.

If you have questions on selecting keywords or categories, contact the IT Service Desk ( Submit a Ticket or Start a Live Chat ) and ask for an ETDR consultant.

• Updated: 7/14/23

GSLC Dissertation Support Guide

• GSLC Dissertation Support Guide Home
• Writing Support Resources This link opens in a new window
• Digital Accessibility [alt text] Requirements from OhioLINK
• Digital Dissertations [PDF] + Supplemental Files / Font Requirements
• Essential Resources: Dissertation Handbook & Style Choices & Authoritative Manuals
• Including Multimedia Inside Your Dissertation Document- Tips From WEX This link opens in a new window
• WEX FAQs and other editing tips / checklists This link opens in a new window
• Our Archives : Where your Dissertation will "live"
• Dissertation Titles and Online Discovery

Abstract Requirements

Selecting keywords & subject headings.

• Multimedia /Data Set Inclusion - Supplemental Files
• Author Introduction - Multimedia Option
• Your Name and Your ORCID Number
• Copyright and Permissions
• Permission Request Checklist
• Final Submission - Link & Important Instructions
• Post - Submission
• Curating your Scholarly Identity This link opens in a new window
• Last Steps Workshop This link opens in a new window

The Dissertation Abstract

The abstract is your dissertation's calling card to the world.  The abstract is usually your first connection with every potential reader.   It also is a key feature in discovery of your dissertation through search engines.

Abstract Requirements and Checklist :

• Number of paragraphs  : Abstract should be ONE PARAGRAPH  [no returns]
• CC License Option: If you have chosen a Creative Commons License , this must specified in the abstract mentioning the type of license and linking back the the CC License page.
• how many supplemental files
• type of file
• whether or not they are also accessible within the PDF.  
• T his includes the author video abstract
• Length:  Abstracts no longer have length requirements in UMI/Proquest, but the print version of the database will cut off at 350 words MAXIMUM.   APA Style calls for 150-250 words, which is most reasonable.    The shorter, the better.
• Final Sentence :  To enhance discovery every abstract must carry this sentence at the end

  This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, https://aura.antioch.edu/  and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/

Keywords are also essential to your dissertation being discovered online.

Keyword Guidelines:

• Place the keywords a few lines below the Abstract in your dissertation
• Your Keyword field is limited to 350  characters
• The Keywords in the Final Submission Form must match the Keywords in the Dissertation

Selecting Keyword :

Consider:   Which words would someone interested in my dissertation use? 

• ​ Language/ Jargon  used in your academic field? e,g, community of practice, best self
• Synonyms and Related Terms:  e.g. non-profit, not-for-profit, third sector / eating disorders,  anorexia, bulimia
• Alternate Spellings :  e.g. organisation, organization
• Methodology : e.g. grounded theory, qualitative, etc.
• Population:   e.g.  teachers, executives, African Americans, college students, grandparents
• Venue:   e.g.  workplace, corporations, elementary schools

Test your Keywords in Google and Google Scholar to see if they yield the items similar to your dissertation.

Subject Headings

On the Final Submission Form you will also be able to select Subject Headings for the Ohiolink ETD Center Archive;

• These subject headings DO NOT go into your dissertation
• This is a "Controlled Vocabulary" List.    You cannot change or add to the list.  There is no Subject Heading for LEADERSHIP. So add 'leadership' in your keyword list.
• Choose the most appropriate subject headings for your dissertation.  

Attached below is the current list from which you will choose.

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• Last Updated: Sep 27, 2024 10:54 AM
• URL: https://libguides-phd.antioch.edu/AUETDCENTRAL

APA 7th Edition Style Guide

• Abstracts & Keywords
• Authors & Publication Dates
• Titles & Sources
• In-line, Within-Text Citation ch.8
• Is this a "real" journal? evaluating journals
• Tables and Figures
• Librarian contact

Always follow the abstract guidelines by the journal you are wishing to publish in. That being said, these are some general requirements for writing abstracts:

• An abstract is a summary of the research or article.  Essentially the goal of the abstract is to give a one or two sentence summary from each section  of the article, which typically contains an introduction, methods or design, results, discussion or conclusion. There can be of course deviations from this, but this is typical
• abstracts are in paragraph form. However, some journals have specific formats, one example is below.
• The norm is for 200-250 words for the abstract. Be concise.

What are the keywords for? They are used for indexing and abstracting of your articles, i.e., they help people searching in databases to be able to find your article.

What should I use for keywords? Basically you want to use words that collectively describe your research. They should summarize what your article is about. Look at some publications in your research area and see how they write their keywords. Really think about what the keywords in that particular research are describing or trying to focus on. 

What is the format for keywords? Always follow the journal guidelines that you are publishing in. Most likely they will have specifics. Following APA 7th edition guidelines, the phrase Keywords is to be in italics with a colon, followed by the keywords or phrases separated by commas. After the last keyword, no punctuation is used.   

So if I were writing keywords for this research guide I might use:

Keywords: library research guides, LibGuides, APA 7th edition, citation styles

Abstracts & Keywords: Examples

Vollbehr, N. K., Hoenders, H. J. R., Bartels‐Velthuis, A. A., Nauta, M. H., Castelein, S., Schroevers, M. J., Stant, A.D., de Jong, P.J., &  Ostafin, B. D. (2020). A mindful yoga intervention for young women with major depressive disorder: Design and baseline sample characteristics of a randomized controlled trial.  International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 29 , Article e1820. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1820

Reddy-Best, K.L. & Choi, E. (2020). "Male hair cannot extend below plane of the shoulder" and "no cross dressing": critical queer analysis of high school dress codes in the United States. Journal of Homosexuality , 67 (9):1290-1340.  https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2019.1585730

In this study, we questioned how high school dress codes outlined in official handbooks were written or presented in regard to the gender binary, either/or perspective. We critically analyzed how or if they allowed for flexibility in expression of gender and sexual identity and if they supported, encouraged, or affirmed a variety of expressions, in particular transgender and gender non-conforming expressions, throughout the text or images. The content analysis method was used to analyze 735 handbooks from the 2016 to 2017 school year. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) support of fluid gender expression, yet not overt support; (2) passive marginalization of gender non-conforming or transgender identities or expressions; and (3) active marginalization of gender non-conforming or transgender identities or expressions. The “LGBTQ+ Dress Code Analysis Tool” was developed for policy makers to use to analyze their dress codes.

Keywords : Dress code, gender, high school, LGBTQ+, queer, sexuality

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• Last Updated: May 20, 2024 9:28 AM
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Research Process :: Step by Step

• Introduction
• Select Topic
• Identify Keywords
• Background Information
• Develop Research Questions
• Refine Topic
• Search Strategy
• Popular Databases
• Evaluate Sources
• Types of Periodicals
• Reading Scholarly Articles
• Primary & Secondary Sources
• Organize / Take Notes
• Writing & Grammar Resources
• Annotated Bibliography
• Literature Review
• Citation Styles
• Paraphrasing
• Privacy / Confidentiality

Mind Mapping

Created by Joshua Vossler

Make a list of keywords relevant to your topic.  Be sure to list similar, broader, narrower, and related terms . Keep the list by your side when you start your research and continue to add to it as you come across useful terms.

Identifying Keywords

Before searching for information, you need to identify keywords related to your topic. The keywords you use have an impact on the results of your research. 

If the keywords you choose do not give you the results you need, try the others on your list or use the  search strategies  listed under Step 2.

Keywords and phrases can easily be found by scanning . . .

• your initial research questions
• encyclopedia and other articles used when conducting background research
• bibliographies found at the end of books and articles

If you are still struggling, try these suggestions:

• Use a thesaurus to identify synonyms
• Find pictures related to your topic, then describe the picture
• Brainstorm keywords with a librarian, your instructor, or a friend

Combining Keywords

When researching, we are like detectives trying to combine the right terms in the right place to find the information we need. This information will help you combine search terms to find relevant sources.

Broad Search

Search for information using the single most important term related to your topic. Use this type of search when looking for basic background information.

Specific Search

Search for information by combining key concepts using the words you have brainstormed. Each concept/word should be separated by the word "AND" . Use this kind of search when looking for specific evidence related to your claim or thesis.

Getting Too Many Irrelevant Results?

Add more search terms.

Getting Too Few Relevant Results?

Change or remove some search terms.

Using a Concept Map

A concept map is a graphical tool used to organize and structure knowledge. 

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Research Tips and Infromation

Top 10 Rules to Identify Keywords for Your Research Paper

During one of my research endeavours, I found myself at a conference, engrossed in a conversation with a fellow researcher about strategies to enhance the visibility of our research papers. They shared an intriguing insight—they had collaborated with journal editors who emphasized the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in boosting research visibility.

Curiosity piqued, I delved into the world of SEO, eager to explore its potential impact on my own work. As I embarked on this journey, I discovered that SEO revolves around utilizing the right words and phrases in research papers to ensure they’re easily discoverable by search engines like Google.

Armed with newfound knowledge, I began implementing SEO techniques in my papers. The results were remarkable—my papers started appearing higher in Google searches, reaching a wider audience in the process. It became evident that increased visibility translated into more readership and potential citations for my research.

Moreover, my colleague shed light on the concept of long-tail keywords during our discussion. Long-tail keywords, consisting of longer, more specific phrases, are known to enhance search appearances by targeting niche audiences. By incorporating long-tail keywords into my papers, I further optimized their visibility and relevance in search engine results.

In essence, my journey into the realm of SEO underscored the transformative impact of digital know-how in academia. Through strategic keyword selection and SEO techniques, researchers can amplify the reach and influence of their work, paving the way for greater recognition and impact in the scholarly community.

Why Keyword Selection for a Research Paper is Crucial?

• Tips for Writing Keywords  for a Research Paper

Which Words Can not be Keywords in My Research Paper?

The role of conference /journal selection in citations and scholarly impact, can i add a keyword synonym for the actual keyword, in what order i should arrange keywords alphabetically or in order of importance, can i add acronyms as keywords, where do you put keywords in a research paper, can i take insights from the keywords listed in research papers of my reference, when is the best stage in the research paper writing process to identify and finalize the keywords, introduction.

In today’s rapidly expanding digital age, researchers face the challenge of making their valuable contributions stand out amidst a vast sea of information. The visibility and discoverability of research papers play a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge and the impact of scholarly work. To address this challenge, incorporating effective keywords becomes a vital strategy for researchers seeking to enhance their paper’s reach and influence.

Keywords serve as concise phrases or words that encapsulate the essence of a research paper, providing a quick snapshot of its content. When well-chosen and thoughtfully integrated into the paper, keywords can significantly increase citations, attract more readers, and elevate the visibility of the research in search engine results. By making a paper easily searchable, keywords enable fellow researchers to find and access relevant studies, fostering collaboration and further advancing scientific progress.

While researchers may not have direct control over the search ranking algorithms employed by platforms such as Google, they hold a powerful tool in their hands: the keyword listing section within their research papers. This section grants researchers the privilege to influence their paper’s ranking on search engines, giving them the opportunity to propel their work to the forefront of scholarly exploration.

Moreover, keywords function as invaluable filters in the vast ocean of available resources. In databases and search engines, keywords serve as crucial parameters that retrieve results based on their relevance to the search query. The more relevant keywords a paper contains, the higher its likelihood of appearing prominently in search results, enabling it to captivate the attention of readers seeking information on a specific topic.

The importance of selecting appropriate keywords cannot be overstated. These carefully chosen terms not only define the domain, subdomain, and research objective of the paper but also facilitate indexing, categorization, and targeted display of the article to researchers seeking related content. By including the right keywords, researchers can ensure their work is more easily searched, cited, and incorporated into the ongoing scholarly dialogue.

Keywords are phrases or words that sum up your  research paper.  They increase the number of citations you receive and make your paper searchable (and easily discoverable!). Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate domain and methodology related  keywords of your research work to aid in the discovery of your paper.

For a researcher, making his/her research paper available to the research community, on the  Google search engine  within the first few search page results is a challenging task.  The appearance of an article in search results will push the research scholars to download, refer and cite articles in their work. This will help the researcher to increase his citation counts and improve his research profile to a greater extent.

Though the researcher does not have direct control over the journal search ranking on the Google search engine in which he/she has published the paper, still he/she can make his article rank higher with one simple option.  Keyword listing is one such section within a research paper, where the researcher has the privilege to push the ranking of the paper on the Google search engine.

Keywords, therefore, are vital for filtering the abundant amount of resources available. Keywords are one of the parameters used for searching an article in a database or a search engine, that in turn retrieves a bunch of results ranked according to relevancy.

The appearance of the document higher in the order is directly proportional to the number of relevant keywords used in that document. Then how to make our research paper rank higher in the search results and not be lost in the ocean of the documents stored on the net? The answer is of course choosing the right and relevant keywords.

The purpose of keywords in a research article is to help other researchers find your paper when they are conducting a search on the topic. Picking the apt keywords is crucial because these are used for indexing purposes. Well-picked keywords help your article to be more easily searched and cited.

In a research article, abstracts are usually followed by a list of keywords selected by the author. Keywords define the domain, subdomain, topic, research objective, etc. that are covered by the article. Most search engines, citation indexing databases, or journal websites refer keywords to decide where and when to display your article to the researchers who are searching for articles related to your article.

Keywords make your article easily searchable and ensure that your article gets more citations.  Hence it is essential to include and select relevant keywords and filter out the large body of unwanted material.

Let us take an example to see why keywords are useful. A paper titled  ” New approaches in Leaf Image processing using Machine Learning Techniques”   describes, how some  Machine Learning Algorithms will help in identifying the leaf spot diseases like Bacterial Blight at the earlier stage using  Machine learning based Image Processing techniques. 

Suitable keywords for such a paper can  include the following 

• Support Vector Machine, Reinforcement Learning  ( From Machine Learning concepts)
• Image Segmentation, Image Clustering  (From Image Processing concept)
• Leaf Spot disease names Bacterial Blight, Anthracnose etc.  ( From Domain concept)  

Search for any of these keywords will lead a  research scholar to this paper.

Tips for Writing Keywords  for a Research Paper

Here are a few tips that will help you create relevant and effective keywords for your research paper:

• Start thinking about the terms you use to search for research papers related to your topic. Possibly these are the terms used by other researchers for searching the topic of your interest. These terms can be ideal keywords for your research paper.
• Most of the time it is assumed that a keyword means a single word. However, as per the research, search engine users are becoming more specific and they have understood that a single keyword is probably going to be too broad of a search to return the articles they’re looking for. A good example is what happens when you do a search for the keyword “security”, you may be in need of articles written on network security for cloud computing but doing a quick search on Google with the keyword security gives you results as varied as articles on security article in Wikipedia, Security of nation, the Social Security number,  security jobs in your local area or a recently released movie with title “security”. Using the keyword phrase “network security for cloud computing”, returns a couple of research articles about network security for cloud computing. Keywords should ideally be phrases of 2-3 words. Ideally can give single-word keywords but it may lead to many false matches. Note that actually, keywords are not simply a set of words instead they are phrases. Examples:  Soft Computing for Leaf Image Analysis, Support Vector Machine for Fruit quality Identification, Neural Network for Leaf Image Extraction
• Identify the generally used alternate terms for the words written in your title. That is, include significant abbreviations, acronyms, and other short-form or substitute names for your paper. But care should be taken while using acronyms that may have other meanings. WWW would be an abbreviation since most hits would relate to the Internet. Similarly, other abbreviations like   i)  SVM for Support Vector Machine, ii) NN for Neural Network and iii) Soft Computing for Neural Network, Fuzzy Logic and Genetic Algorithm  can be used
• Do not use words or phrases from the title as keywords. Keywords should contain a list of words that supplement your title’s content. This is because most of the search engines and journal databases use Research Title for indexing purposes. TITLE:   “Leaf Image Analysis for Pathological Issues Using  Soft Computing Techniques” KEYWORDS :  Unsupervised   Neural Networks, Leaf Spot disease Identification,  Disease spot extraction using Image Processing.
• Keywords should contain words and phrases that suggest what the topic is about. Also include words and phrases that are closely related to your topic. (For example, if the paper is about  Image Processing for Leaf Spot Identification and Disease Classification use words like   Plant Pathology, Bacterial Blight in pomegranate, Leaf Disease spot Identification etc .
• If your research revolves around a key method or technique, make sure the term for it is located in your keyword. Example: If the method uses  Multi-Spectral Camera  for image capturing and processing then Keywords must contain terms like Multi-Spectral Image Analysis.
• If the paper focuses on a particular region use that as a keyword. If the paper is on  Voice Analysis of Southern Indian Community for Age Identification  then  Keyword can be “ Southern Indian Community ”  If the paper is P omegranate Leaf Spot Identification using a Support Vector Machine  and if the pomegranate considered are from the Indian sub-continent then the keyword can be ”  Pomegranate plant of the Indian subcontinent “.
• If your article is about developing applications, check whether potential applications, issues or phenomena can serve as keywords ( Smart City Construction, Plant Pathology,  Medical Image Processing for Skin Cancer, Sensor for Tsunami ).
• The most important experimental techniques used in your article are worth considering as keywords.  For example,  Stereo Vision for Robot,  X-ray analysis for pomegranate fruit etc .
• Some sites  provide keyword generators or keyword planners to help you think of other terms you could include.

General Insights Regarding Keywords in Research Papers

• Number of keywords:  Research papers typically include a list of 3-6 keywords, although some papers may have more or fewer. The specific number of keywords can vary based on the guidelines provided by the target journal or conference.
• Keyword density:  There is no set rule for keyword density in research papers. The focus should be on selecting relevant and accurate keywords rather than trying to achieve a specific density. However, it’s important to include the main concepts and themes of your research in the keywords to enhance discoverability.
• Keyword variations:  Including variations of keywords, such as synonyms or related terms, can improve the visibility and searchability of your research paper. This allows readers using different terminology to find your paper when searching for related topics.
• Keyword importance:  While keywords are essential for search engine optimization and indexing purposes, their impact on the ranking and visibility of research papers can vary across different platforms and databases. Factors such as the relevance of the content, citation count, and journal reputation can also influence the visibility of a research paper.
• Keyword trends:  Research fields and disciplines may have specific keywords or terms that gain prominence or decline over time due to emerging trends, advancements, or changes in terminology. Staying updated with the latest literature and research in your field can help you identify and incorporate relevant keywords.
• Common words:  Avoid using generic and commonly used words that do not add specific value to your research topic. For example, if your research paper is about the effects of climate change on coral reefs, using words like “the,” “and,” “of,” “in,” etc., as keywords would not provide any meaningful information specific to your study.
• Very broad terms:  Keywords should ideally be more specific and focused to represent the main ideas or concepts of your research. For instance, if your research paper is about the impact of social media on mental health in adolescents, using the keyword “media” would be too broad and may lead to a large number of unrelated search results. Instead, you could use keywords like “social media,” “mental health,” “adolescents,” etc., to make the search more targeted.
• Highly technical terms:  While research papers often include technical terminology, using overly specialized or obscure terms as keywords may limit the discoverability of your paper. For example, if your research paper is about a new cancer treatment method, using a complex and specific scientific term that only experts in the field would understand might make it difficult for other researchers or readers to find your paper. It would be better to use more accessible keywords that convey the main concept, such as “cancer treatment,” “novel therapy,” or “medical innovation.”
• Personal pronouns:  Avoid using personal pronouns like “I,” “we,” “you,” etc., as keywords. Keywords should reflect the general scope and content of your research rather than emphasizing the author’s perspective. For instance, if your research paper is about renewable energy sources, using a keyword like “my study” would be inappropriate. Instead, opt for keywords like “renewable energy,” “solar power,” “wind turbines,” etc.
• Single words without context:  Selecting keywords that consist of a single word without any context or modifiers may not effectively convey the essence of your research. For example, if your research paper is about the impact of exercise on cardiovascular health, using a keyword like “exercise” on its own would be too vague. Instead, you could use keywords like “exercise benefits,” “cardiovascular health,” “physical activity effects,” etc., to provide more specific and meaningful information about your study.

Remember that the goal of choosing keywords is to accurately represent your research and increase its discoverability, so it’s important to be strategic in selecting terms that best capture the main themes and concepts of your paper.

Let me show you an example of a Research Paper with a Title, Abstract and set of possible Keywords

Title :  Leaf Disease Feature Identification and Extraction Using Deep Neural Network Abstract Extraction of meaningful leaf disease features by applying image processing techniques is a problem that has been studied by the image processing community for decades.  Image processing research for leaf spot disease identification has matured significantly throughout the years, and many advances in image processing techniques continue to be made, allowing new techniques to be applied to new and more demanding pathological problems. In this paper, a method for the detection and classification of leaf spot diseases affecting Pomegranate crops is developed using  Deep learning Neural networks. Throughout, we have presented tables and charts to compare the performance of the proposed method with state-of-the-art techniques. Experimental results show that Deep Neural Networks handle uncertainty effectively and they can be trained with limited data sets. The paper has also made suggestions for future research directions. Keywords : Image Processing for plant pathology, diseased leaf spot extraction,  leaf spot disease classification, segmentation of leaf spot disease, Machine learning for Leaf disease identification, Pomegranate leaf disease identification, Pomegranate leaf disease classification.

Please note that, sheer identification of keywords may not push your citation score. Selecting a reputable journal and avoiding predatory conferences and journals is crucial for maximizing the visibility and impact of your research article. By publishing in a respected journal, you increase the likelihood of attracting a broader and more qualified readership, thus increasing the chances of your article being cited by other researchers. Choosing the right journal involves considering factors such as the journal’s scope, target audience, impact factor, indexing in reputable databases, peer-review process, and overall reputation in the field. Additionally, it is important to stay vigilant and avoid predatory conferences and journals that may engage in unethical practices or lack rigorous peer-review processes.

These predatory outlets may hinder the credibility and recognition of your work. By carefully selecting a reputable journal, you position your research for greater exposure, credibility, and citation potential.

Visit my articles on ” How to identify and avoid predatory conferences and journals ” and “ Identifying Reputable journals for your research paper “. These articles will help you in getting your articles cited by many authors.

In the age of information overload, where research papers are easily lost in the vast sea of digital content, the strategic use of keywords emerges as a powerful tool for researchers. By carefully selecting and incorporating relevant keywords, researchers can enhance the visibility, discoverability, and impact of their scholarly work.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can certainly add keyword synonyms for the actual keywords in your research paper. Including synonyms can enhance the discoverability of your paper and improve its visibility in search engines and databases. When adding keyword synonyms, it’s advisable to place them within parentheses next to the corresponding actual keyword. Here’s an example: Keywords: apple (fruit), banana (fruit), cherry (fruit)

The order in which you arrange the keywords in your research paper depends on the specific guidelines provided by the journal or conference you are submitting to. Some publishers may require keywords to be listed in alphabetical order, while others may suggest organizing them based on their importance or relevance to the study. Therefore, it’s important to consult the submission guidelines or instructions provided by the target publication. If the guidelines don’t specify a preferred order, you have the flexibility to choose between alphabetical order and order of importance. Alphabetical order is a common and straightforward approach that allows for easy reference and searchability. However, if you believe that emphasizing the importance or relevance of certain keywords is more appropriate for your research, you can arrange them in order of importance. In such cases, you should provide a clear rationale for the chosen order of keywords, especially if it deviates from the standard alphabetical arrangement.

Yes, you can add acronyms as keywords in your research paper. Including acronyms as keywords can be useful, especially if they are commonly used or widely recognized in your field of study. However, it’s important to provide the full expansion or definition of the acronym when it is first mentioned in the paper or in the list of keywords. For example: Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP) In this example, the acronyms “AI,” “ML,” and “NLP” are included as keywords. However, the full expansion of each acronym is provided within parentheses next to the respective acronym. This ensures that readers who may not be familiar with the acronyms can understand their meaning and context.

In a research paper, keywords are typically included after the abstract section. Abstract: Begin by including a section labelled “Keywords” or “Key Terms” immediately after the abstract. List the keywords in alphabetical order, separated by commas or semicolons.

Examining top-quality research papers in your area of work and analyzing the keywords they have listed can be a valuable approach to generate insights and identify relevant keywords for your own research paper. It can provide you with a better understanding of the terminology and keywords commonly used within your field. This method can help ensure that your paper aligns with established literature and facilitates discoverability among researchers in your domain. By reviewing keywords from well-regarded papers, you can gain insights into the specific terms and phrases that are currently prominent and influential in your field. This approach also allows you to observe how other researchers describe similar concepts, methodologies, or research areas. You can adapt and refine those keywords to suit your own study while maintaining relevance to the broader academic community. However, it’s important to note that while this method can be helpful, it should not be the sole approach for selecting keywords. It should be combined with other strategies, such as brainstorming related terms, considering your target audience, and evaluating keyword relevance. The goal is to create a comprehensive list of keywords that accurately represents your research and maximizes the chances of your paper being discovered by the intended audience.

The stage at which keywords are identified in the research paper writing process can vary. Ideally, you should start considering and identifying potential keywords during the early stages of your research project. Here’s a breakdown of the typical timeline for identifying keywords: Research planning and topic selection: When you are in the initial stages of planning your research and selecting a topic, start thinking about the main concepts and themes that define your study. These initial ideas can serve as a foundation for generating keywords later on. Literature review: As you conduct your literature review, pay attention to the keywords and terms used in existing research papers that are relevant to your topic. Note down any keywords that are commonly used and appear to be influential in your field. This process will help you gain insights into the terminology and vocabulary used by other researchers. Keyword brainstorming: Once you have a clear understanding of your research topic and have familiarized yourself with the existing literature, engage in a keyword brainstorming session. Generate a list of related terms, synonyms, phrases, and variations associated with your research area. This step will help you expand your keyword options. Refinement and finalization: After brainstorming, evaluate and refine your list of potential keywords. Consider the relevance, specificity, and popularity of each keyword. Narrow down your selection to a concise set of keywords (usually 3-6) that accurately represent your research. Incorporation into the paper: Include the finalized keywords in your research paper after the abstract and before the main body, as discussed earlier. Ensure that they are listed in a clear and easily readable format. By identifying keywords early in the research paper writing process, you can ensure that your research is appropriately categorized, discoverable, and aligned with the relevant literature in your field.

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Keywords in a Research Paper: The Importance of the Right Choice

Unlock the potential of your research paper by using keywords! Learn how to effectively use keywords in a research paper and make an impact.

If you are writing a research paper, you are likely familiar with the importance of a well-written title and an engaging abstract. However, have you ever considered the impact that keywords can have on the visibility and discoverability of your research paper? In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of research paper keywords and provide you with some tips on how to choose the right ones for your paper.

What are Research Paper Keywords?

Keywords are words or phrases that represent the main topics or ideas presented in a research paper. They help readers and search engines quickly identify the content of the paper and assess its relevance to their interests.

In many cases, keywords are included in the paper’s abstract, but they can also be listed separately in the paper’s metadata. These metadata keywords are often used by search engines to index and rank research papers in search results.

Importance of Keywords in a Research Paper

The selection of appropriate keywords is crucial to ensuring the visibility and discoverability of your research paper. By using the right keywords, you can attract the attention of readers who are interested in your research topic and increase the likelihood that your paper will be cited and shared.

Keywords can also impact the ranking of your paper in search results. If you choose popular or commonly used keywords, your paper may be buried among a large number of other papers on the same topic. However, if you choose unique, specific, and accurate keywords, your paper will have a better chance of ranking higher in search results.

How to Choose the Right Keywords in a Research Paper

Choosing the right keywords for your research paper requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you choose the most effective keywords for your paper:

Follow any instructions your target journal provides regarding keywords

Different journals may have different requirements for the number and type of keywords. Be sure to check the author guidelines for your target journal and follow their instructions regarding keywords.

Think about what terms you would use to search for papers related to your topic

Put yourself in the shoes of someone who is searching for papers on your topic. What terms would they use? What are the main ideas or concepts in your paper? Use these terms as keywords.

Avoid using terms already present in your research paper’s title

Using the same terms in both the title and keywords can be redundant and waste valuable keyword space. Instead, try to use related terms that expand on the main ideas of your paper.

If your research involves a key method or technique, put the term either in your title or your keywords

Including the name of a key method or technique can make your paper more discoverable to researchers interested in that method or technique.

Think of generally used alternate terms to the ones found in your title

Different researchers may use different terms to describe the same concepts. Try to include commonly used alternate terms as keywords to make your paper more discoverable.

Test your keywords before submitting your paper

Before finalizing your keywords, test them by entering them into a search engine to see what results come up. Make sure the results are relevant to your paper and that your paper is visible among them.

Use keyword generators with caution

There are many online tools that generate keywords for research papers. While these tools can be helpful, they should be used with caution. Always evaluate the suggested keywords for relevance and accuracy before using them in your paper.

Best Practices for Using Keywords in a Research Paper

In the competitive world of academia, research papers are the currency of success. But with so many papers being published every day, how can you make sure yours stands out? One crucial aspect is choosing the right research paper keywords.

Keywords are words or phrases that summarize the main themes and topics of your paper. They help search engines and databases categorize and index your work, making it easier for others to find and cite. Do you know how to choose the right keywords for your research paper? In addition, what are the best practices for using them effectively?

Include relevant keywords throughout the paper

Keywords should not only be present in your paper’s title and abstract but throughout the body of the text. This helps to reinforce the main themes and concepts of your work and improves its visibility in search results.

Be specific and concise when choosing keywords

Choose keywords that accurately reflect the specific topics and themes of your research paper. Avoid broad or generic terms that could be applied to a variety of different topics.

Choose keywords that accurately reflect the content of the paper

Keywords should be a true representation of the content of your research paper. If you use misleading or inaccurate keywords, you risk misleading readers and damaging your credibility.

Include synonyms and related terms when possible

Including synonyms and related terms can broaden the scope of your paper and help it reach a wider audience. It can also improve its ranking in search results.

Tools for Generating Keywords for Research Papers

There are several tools available for generating keywords for your research paper. These include:

• Google Keyword Planner – a free tool from Google that helps you find relevant keywords and phrases for your research paper.
• Keyword Tool – another free tool that generates keywords based on search queries from various search engines.
• Mendeley – a research management tool that automatically extracts keywords from your research papers and suggests additional keywords based on the content.

Over 75,000 Accurate Scientific Figures to Boost Your Impact

Mind the Graph is a comprehensive scientific communication platform that offers a range of tools to help researchers create and share high-impact research papers. One of its key features is its extensive library of over 75,000 scientific figures, graphics, and illustrations.

These figures are designed to be easily customizable and can be used to enhance the visual appeal of your research paper. They cover a wide range of topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine, and are constantly updated to reflect the latest research findings.

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How to Choose and Use Keywords in Research Papers

Academic writing is vital for PhD student and researchers, and identifying appropriate keywords in research papers is a crucial part of the process. However, not many academics understand the importance of keywords in research papers and why you need to get this right. When used well, keywords in scientific papers ensure more accurate indexing and allow search engines to find your work from the large amounts of information available online.

With more research articles and journals available to researchers, it is important to choose and use keywords in research papers effectively to maximize the reach and impact of your research article by making it easier to discover, access, and reference by a diverse audience. In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose and effectively use keywords in research papers to improve your visibility and help you reach your intended audience.

How to choose keywords in research papers

Choosing the right keywords in research papers is critical because the quality of online search results is directly related to the quality of the keywords used. A well-chosen keyword can help your paper get discovered, while a poorly chosen keyword can lead to your paper being overlooked. Here are some simple steps to choose the right keywords for your research paper. 1

Understand the research question or topic

Know the central theme of your research paper and write down keywords that are most relevant and will capture the essence of your work. Examining your research question or topic closely can also help you identify keywords in research papers that are frequently used in your field of study.

Check standard author guidelines

Most reputed journals mention specific instructions regarding the number and length of keywords in research papers. Be sure to check the author guidelines carefully as some even suggest that authors choose from a set of predetermined keywords for scientific papers covering specific research topics.

Create a pool of relevant keywords

When shortlisting keywords in research papers, consider your target audience and keep in mind what they typically use to search for articles on topics like yours. A good idea would be to use phrases or word clusters that are used repeatedly in your manuscript as readers will also likely be using these to search online. Add synonyms and different phrases that describe your concept (avoid newly coined terms or unusual abbreviations) to increase the chances of your research being discovered. You can also ask your supervisor or consult experts in your field to identify the most relevant keywords in research paper.

Pick specific, 2-4-word phrases as keywords

Single words often lead to false matches or are misconstrued so it’s advised to choose keywords that are phrases with 2-4 words, and not longer. It’s important also to be specific when choosing keywords in research papers to ensure your work stands out. For example, if the paper is about leg pain, use alternative and more specific phrases like leg cramps, spasms in the leg, or muscular leg pain to help your work stand out from generalized online searches on pain.

Use optimized keywords in research papers

Maximize your potential visibility by using optimized keywords in research papers. For example, authors writing on medical and health-related topics can find help with keywords and terms by looking through the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) thesaurus. The MeSH thesaurus also includes effective and popular keywords and terms that are used in PubMed and other databases. 2 Similarly, online search engines also index scholarly literature across an array of disciplines.

How to include keywords in research papers

Once you have identified the most relevant keywords for your scientific papers, the next step is to include them effectively. Optimizing your academic writing with keywords is a straightforward process that requires some attention to detail. Here are some tips on how to include keywords in research paper and what to avoid.

Include keywords in title and abstract

The title and abstract are the first sections people read when searching for scholarly articles and understanding the relevance of your work. Include keywords in research paper titles and add the most important keywords in abstract of your research paper. This will help search engines and academic databases quickly identify the central theme of your research paper and categorize your work correctly. However, note that some journals do not advise using keywords that overlap with words used in your research paper title. 2

Add keywords across all sections

Try to use keywords strategically in all sections of your research paper, including the introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. However, while adding keywords in research papers, ensure they read naturally and are in context to maintain the quality of your academic writing. Subheads are another good way to use keywords as they allow readers to quickly scan your paper. Creating descriptive subheadings that include the main keywords in research papers work well to guide readers smoothly through your article.

Use variations of main keywords

Apart from the list of shortlisted keywords for your topic, make sure you also use variations of your keywords in research papers to ensure it is easily found by readers. Using synonyms and related terms that describe the same concept can help increase the visibility of your paper in online searches while ensuring the main keywords in scientific papers don’t seem spammy and make your writing seem repetitive.

Refer to highly cited works on similar topics

Check relevant journal databases or conduct a quick online search to see how keywords have been used in previously published papers in your field. If you can find the right papers for the keywords you are searching for, you know that it has used keywords effectively. This may give you an idea not only on how and where to use keywords in research papers but may also help you formulate or add to your chosen keywords.

Avoid irrelevant keywords and overstuffing

Finally, it is important to use only relevant keywords in research papers as irrelevant keywords can mislead readers and result in your paper being excluded from relevant searches. Also make sure you are not using too many keywords in research papers. Force-fitting keywords could make your writing seem cluttered and confusing; your work may also be penalized for keyword stuffing by online search engines. It’s best to stick to a few specific, relevant keywords that accurately reflect your research and use them strategically to ensure your article is coherent and engaging for readers.

Identifying effective keywords for research papers must be a priority for researchers and not an afterthought in their manuscript writing and publishing journey. The use of right keywords not only offers readers easier access to your paper through online searches, but it also significantly increases the frequency of citations. Therefore, be sure to choose and use keywords in your research paper with care. All the best!

Keywords are specific terms or phrases that encapsulate the essence of a research paper’s content. They represent the main ideas, concepts, and themes addressed in the paper. These terms aid in categorization, indexing, and searching for relevant articles in academic databases. Typically located in the abstract or article header, keywords provide a quick overview of the paper’s focus, helping researchers and readers gauge its relevance to their interests.

Identifying keywords is vital for effective research because it enhances discoverability. Researchers use keywords to navigate vast databases efficiently, ensuring they find relevant papers on their topic. Precise keywords ensure that articles align closely with a researcher’s needs, saving time and effort. Well-chosen keywords improve a paper’s visibility, increasing its chances of being found and cited. Accurate keyword selection improves the dissemination of knowledge and facilitates collaboration among scholars by facilitating access to related works.

Keywords serve several key purposes in research papers. Firstly, they aid in information retrieval. By including relevant terms, researchers make their work easily discoverable by peers. Secondly, keywords enhance the paper’s visibility, increasing its chances of being cited and referenced. Thirdly, keywords establish a common language for researchers within a particular field, facilitating communication. Lastly, they offer a concise snapshot of the paper’s core themes, assisting readers in quickly determining the paper’s applicability to their own work or interests.

References:

• George, E. Identifying keywords for scientific papers: A simple 5-step guide. Researcher.Life Blog. Available online at https://researcher.life/blog/article/identifying-keywords-for-scientific-papers-a-simple-5-step-guide/
• Herron, C. How to Choose the Best Keywords for Your Research Manuscript. Redwood Ink. Available online at https://redwoodink.com/resources/how-to-choose-the-best-keywords-for-your-research-manuscript

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What are they?

Keywords, also called search terms, are the words you enter into the search boxes in catalogs, databases, and search engines. They represent the main concepts of your research topic. 

Descriptors, or subject headings, are terms used by the creators of a database to "officially" label a particular concept. This is referred to as a controlled vocabulary. 

It is generally easier to start your search by using keywords, but if the resource you are searching supplies you with descriptors, you may want to incorporate those into your search for more relevant results. 

Before you start searching, take a moment to consider what keywords you will use. 

• Identify the main concepts of your topic
• Brainstorm synonyms and related terms that could be used to describe your topic
• Spell out abbreviations

Be prepared to run multiple searches using various keywords. It's rare that your first search will bring back perfect results.

Turn your topic into keywords

Here is an example of a research question: What is the impact of college binge-drinking on school performance?

Identify the key concepts: college, binge-drinking, school performance

Identify synonyms or related terms

• College: university, higher education
• Binge-drinking: alcohol use, alcohol abuse
• School performance: grades, student achievement, academic performance, student success

Because the databases search for the exact words you enter, certain types of words can be unhelpful to include in your search. These include:

relationship words -- those that get at the relationship between two topics. Examples: compare, contrast, correlation, causation, relationship

judgement words -- those that judge something to be better or worse than something else. Examples; best, worst, pro, con, advantages, disadvantages

It may be that you will have success using these terms, but since there are many ways these ideas can be express or implied, using these terms in your searches may exclude relevant articles simply because they don't include the exact word that you entered. 

Abbreviations

Usually you'll want to spell out abbreviations when searching databases and search engines. But you can also search for both the abbreviation and the complete word or phraseby connecting the terms with OR. 

Example: Cognitive Behavior Therapy OR CBT

Descriptors

As explained above, descriptors are standardized language used by a database to describe concepts. You can usually find the database's controlled vocabulary in a section called subject terms or thesaurus. Be aware that each database can have their own controlled vocabulary, so the language used to describe a concept may not be consistent across databases.

From:  Cooper, Harris, Harris M Cooper, and Larry V. Hedges. 1994.  The Handbook of research synthesis . New York: Russell Sage Foundation. 

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Using keywords to write your title and abstract

Help people find your research with our advice on using keywords to describe your work.

Writing your title and abstract are often the final things you do before you submit an article. However, it is very important not to rush this process as they are both crucial for making your article easy to discover and telling readers what they can expect to learn.

Follow the advice below to help you choose your keywords, and make sure your title and abstract are as effective as possible.

Choosing keywords for your research paper

Selecting the right keywords is how to start a good title and abstract, as well as helping the right readers find your article online.

When you submit your article you’ll usually need to include keywords. These will be used to index your article on  Taylor & Francis Online and on search engines such as  Google Scholar TM .

These keywords will help others find your article quickly and accurately. Think of them as the labels for your article. A strong correlation exists between online hits and subsequent citations for journal articles, therefore it is important to have effective keywords.

But how do you choose your keywords? Put yourself in the mindset of someone searching for articles on your topic, what words or phrases would you enter?

Before you begin your list, check the instructions for authors on your target journal’s homepage on Taylor & Francis Online . There may be specific journal requirements on how many keywords to choose. If they haven’t specified, you could look through a recent paper to get an idea.

Basic tips for creating your keyword list

Read through your paper and highlight any key terms or phrases that are most relevant to the focus of your work.

Draw up a shortlist.

Try searching with your keywords to make sure the results fit with your article and so you can see how useful they would be to others.

Narrow down your keywords to make sure they are as accurate as possible.

Review your final list and ask yourself, will these keywords be most effective at indexing my article online?

Sustainable Development Goal keywords

As more research continues to make important contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we want to support authors in drawing attention to the relevance of their work.

We have recently introduced a set of SDG keywords to selected journals and these keywords will be used to tag papers related to each SDG. This tagging will better highlight the research to readers and enable readers to search for all papers on Taylor & Francis Online using that keyword, with the collection growing over time as tagged papers are published.

Use of these keywords is author-led, with authors determining if their submitted manuscript is relevant to one or more of the SDGs and choosing to add the keywords as appropriate. If a journal is offering SDG keyword tagging, you will be made aware of it in the Instructions for Authors.

Include the relevant SDG keywords within your manuscript file using the format of the keywords list shown below – see ‘The SDG keyword list’. On submission you will be given the option to add the relevant keywords to your submission via a keyboard dropdown menu.

The SDG keyword list The collection of SDG-relevant research will grow over time as tagged papers are published on Taylor & Francis Online

SDG 1: No poverty

SDG 2: Zero hunger

SDG 3: Good health and well-being

SDG 4: Quality education

SDG 5: Gender equality

SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

SDG 13: Climate action

SDG 14: Life below water

SDG 15: Life on land

SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

How to write an effective title for your paper

Good writing titles should be concise, accurate, and informative, and it should tell the reader exactly what the article is about. This is where the keywords you’ve identified come in. It’s vital to incorporate your most relevant keywords in your title to make your article more discoverable in online searches.

The title should include 1-2 keywords, and these keywords should be within the first 65 characters of the title so that they are visible in the search engine results. This will help you produce an effective title.

Writing an effective title increases the potential audience for your article by making it more accessible to readers.

A good title for research paper should:

Incorporate the keywords, so that the article is more likely to be included in the results for relevant online searches.

Be understandable to a reader from outside its field.

Avoid abbreviations, formulae, and numbers.

Keep away from using “Investigation of…”; “Study of…”; “More about…”; “…revisited”.

Get straight to the point of what the article adds to the topic.

Editor’s view

Professor Mark Brundrett, Editor of Education 3-13

What is the abstract in a paper?

An abstract is ‘a few sentences that gives the main idea in an article or a scientific paper’ – definition of abstract from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press.

The abstract section of a research paper is the selling pitch of your article. It is where researchers can get a quick insight and decide whether to continue reading and cite your content, or instead look elsewhere.

It’s worth spending time to write an abstract that will win readers over. Think about article abstracts that you have read in the past.

What qualities would encourage you to read the full article? Is there anything that would put you off delving any deeper into the article? Consider these factors when writing your abstract.

Here are some ideas on what to focus on, to achieve the purpose of an abstract in research paper:

What your research is about

What methods have been used

What you found out

Each journal will have its own word limit for abstracts which you’ll find in the instructions for authors, but approximately 100–200 words are what you have to work with. Check the guidelines for the word count before you start writing.

As you would expect, accuracy is crucial in a good abstract. Whatever you argue or claim in the abstract must reflect what is in the main body of your article. There’s no room for discussion, or introducing any further points.

Tips for writing an abstract

Make sure that your abstract is self-contained, without abbreviations, footnotes, or incomplete references.

It should be a concise summary that makes sense on its own.

Include keywords throughout, but make sure the writing still flows naturally.

You should also avoid including any images, background information or technical terms that may not be understood without further explanation.

There is a significant difference between original research papers and review papers when it comes to abstracts.

For original papers, you should describe your method and procedures.

For reviews, you should first state the primary objective of the review, the reasoning behind your choice, the main outcomes and results of your review, and the conclusions that might be drawn, including their implications for further research, application, or practice.

Example of a well-constructed title and abstract

You can see below a clear and concise title built around five keywords highlighting the main points covered in the article.

The keywords are also used throughout the abstract in a natural way, without affecting readability.

Modelling malaria dynamics with partial immunity and protected travellers: optimal control and cost-effectiveness analysis

A mathematical model of malaria dynamics with naturally acquired transient immunity in the presence of protected travellers is presented. The qualitative analysis carried out on the autonomous model reveals the existence of backward bifurcation, where the locally asymptotically stable malaria-free and malaria-present equilibria coexist as the basic reproduction number crosses unity. The increased fraction of protected travellers is shown to reduce the basic reproduction number significantly. Particularly, optimal control theory is used to analyse the non-autonomous model, which incorporates four control variables. The existence result for the optimal control quadruple, which minimizes malaria infection and costs of implementation, is explicitly proved. Effects of combining at least any three of the control variables on the malaria dynamics are illustrated. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness analysis is carried out to reveal the most cost-effective strategy that could be implemented to prevent and control the spread of malaria with limited resources.

Keywords:  Malaria model ,  temporary immunity ,  protected travellers ,  optimal control ,  cost-effective analysis

Modelling malaria dynamics with partial immunity and protected travellers: optimal control and cost-effectiveness analysis  by S. Olaniyi, K. O. Okosun, S. O. Adesanya & R. S. Lebelo is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Abstract checklist

Have you clearly summarized the article?

Have you included your keywords?

Does it encourage researchers to read on?

Does it fit within the word count?

Is it easy to understand without any prior knowledge of the topic?

Video abstract

A video abstract lets you introduce readers to your article in your own words, telling others why they should read your research.

These short videos (three minutes or less) are published alongside the text abstract on Taylor & Francis Online and are an increasingly popular way of getting others to engage with published research, increasing the visibility of your work.

Find out more about creating a video abstract.

Graphical abstract

A graphical abstract is a useful tool that provides a concise, visual summary of the main conclusions of your article. It can be a great additional way to communicate your findings and is shown to potential readers in several places.

On  Taylor & Francis Online  you’ll see graphical abstracts on the journal’s table of contents page, on the article page itself, and in the PDF version of the article. Where there’s a print version of the journal, it’ll be included there too. Your graphical abstract can be an existing figure from your article if there’s something suitable, or it can be specifically designed for the purpose.

If you supply a graphical abstract, it will be shown in social media shares of your article. This is a great way to increase engagement with your article.

How should a graphical abstract be formatted?

Please make sure you follow these simple guidelines when formatting your graphical abstract:

Your image will often be displayed online at a width 525 pixels, so please make sure that the image is legible at this size.

The image should be saved as a .jpg, .png, or .tiff file.

Supply your graphical abstract as a separate file, labelled GraphicalAbstract1. Do not embed it in your manuscript file.

For optimal online display, your image should be supplied in landscape format with a 2:1 aspect ratio (2 length x 1 height).

A graphical abstract is mandatory for some journals, and for others it may be optional or may not be accepted at all. Always check the instructions for authors to make sure.

Example of a graphical abstract from  Organic Eu3+-complex-anchored porous diatomite channels enable UV protection and down conversion in hybrid material  by Xiaoshuang Yu, Lili Li, Yue Zhao, Xinzhi Wang, Yao Wang, Wenfei Shen, Xiaolin Zhang, Yanying Zhang, Jianguo Tang & Olle Inganäs, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

If you’d like to see some further examples of graphical abstracts then take a look at articles in  Science and Technology of Advanced Materials  and  Journal of Coordination Chemistry .

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Taylor & Francis Editing Services  offers a full range of pre-submission manuscript preparation services to help you improve the quality of your manuscript and submit with confidence.

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How To Create Perfect Keywords In Research Papers

Posted by Rene Tetzner | Apr 6, 2021 | How To Get Published | 0 |

How To Create Perfect Keywords In Research Papers Although an extremely small part of an academic or scientific paper, keywords pack a very large punch in today’s world of online searches and digital publication. With many journal articles available worldwide almost immediately via the internet, it might even be argued that a paper’s keywords have become more important than its title. In one sense, this may be true: it is certainly easier to include in the keywords the terms you think readers are likely to use when searching for material on the topics covered in your paper because that is precisely why the keywords are created, and there is no need to compromise by joining them syntactically into the logical sense expected in a title. Keywords are simply listed, usually in alphabetical order immediately after a paper’s abstract, with the individual terms separated by commas or semicolons and often bearing initial capitals. Between three and ten keywords are normally required (with three to eight being most common), but each keyword can usually contain more than one word, although unnecessary connective words (such as ‘and,’ ‘or,’ ‘of’ and ‘between’) should be avoided as much as possible. The journal to which you plan to submit an article may have specific formatting requirements for keywords, so do check the guidelines carefully for any relevant instructions.

The keywords you choose should first and foremost be terms that represent the central concepts in your article, but they should also be terms that potential readers seeking information of the kind contained in your paper are most likely to enter into search engines. As a general rule, nonstandard abbreviations should not be used as keywords, especially if it is possible to use the full terms, which tend to be clearer for readers. Acronyms and initialisms are usually acceptable, especially if the abbreviated versions are more common or better known than the full terms (as is the case, for instance, with ‘AIDS,’ ‘NASA,’ ‘CD’ and ‘IQ’). In fact, abbreviations of any kind may be preferred in your keywords if it is more likely that they rather than their full versions will be used by readers researching your topic, but do check journal guidelines to be sure they are appropriate. Your keywords should also reflect the technical and/or theoretical language currently used within your discipline or field of study, so specialised terminology may be appropriate for some of your keywords, but highly specialised language should only be used in keywords if it is probable that it will also be used by potential readers as they search for material associated with your topic.

Remember that by choosing appropriate keywords and using them effectively in other searchable parts of your paper as well (such as the title and abstract), you empower your article, increasing its chances of being read and cited. At the same time, you help increase the number of readers and the ratings of the journal that has published your paper, which makes for a win-win situation all around.

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Tips for Abstracts and Keywords

When submitting your ETD, you must include an abstract for your thesis or dissertation. The abstract will be included in the public record of your thesis or dissertation.

Keywords are also required for your ETD. When selecting keywords, choose keywords that describe the content of your thesis or dissertation. Use keywords that will be easily recognized by others in your discipline.

• personality
• atomic emission spectroscopy
• Renaissance music
• Pride and Prejudice
• Jane Austen
• global feminism

Try not to use adjectives by themselves as keywords. For example, the word long-term doesn’t convey meaning by itself. However, if used in conjunction with a noun (e.g. long-term care), the meaning has greater significance. If possible include at least one keyword that does not appear in the abstract or title.

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How to Choose Keywords for a Manuscript?

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Table of Contents

Do you feel your article is being unnoticed? It can sometimes feel as if your work is sunk, in an ocean of millions of others, and not being found and read as often as you imagined. If this is the case, you are not alone. Unfortunately, in the internet era, just good research is hardly enough. A quality text edition of your manuscript and stunning presentations may be the next step for calling some attention, but making your work pop out from millions of others is a challenge that is often under thought by many researchers.

Actually, there are a few things in your power to help an article climb up search engine rankings. It all comes down to two concepts that you probably have heard a thousand times before: SEO and Keywords.

• Working with SEO (search engine optimization): Basically, this means helping search engines find your article relevant for certain search terms on the internet. This is done by choosing strategic keywords that correspond to words in the internet user’s search. This way your article has the best chance to appear in a higher position within a probably (very) long list of other related research.
• Choosing keywords for manuscripts: Keywords are words that capture the essence of your paper. They make your paper searchable (and findable!) and ensure that you get more citations. Therefore, it is important to include relevant keywords to help others find your paper. Don’t forget these simple tips, outlined below.

How to Select the Best Keywords for a Manuscript

The secret to choosing the best keywords for your manuscript is a matter of fine balance. On one hand, we recommend avoiding too many single-words (unless it is completely necessary) so that the search doesn’t render too unspecific. On the other hand, too many words may over-filter your article, making it more difficult to find.

There is also the tendency to add credibility to an article by selecting a lot of specialized keywords. However, that may actually dim the chances of your article being found. Rather than reducing your search chances to a specialized niche of experts, try to use more general terms used in literature to open your work to a more heterogeneous population.

Avoiding the duplication of words already in the article’s title is strongly recommended by journals. It is preferable to choose keywords that compliment the main topic of your research, including related words and/or methodology-specific terms.

Always remember to test your selected keywords. Do you think your article is difficult to find? Does the search pull up very similar articles to your own? Testing gives you the chance to tailor your keyword selection even further and, also very importantly, it can give you a valuable perspective of your “competitors.”

Making your article stand out is the ultimate challenge for its consumption. It might be daunting for researchers who feel overwhelmed by the digital world. However, don’t worry. Elsevier offers text editing services that not only provide excellent quality text for your manuscript, but also help you make the necessary amendments to fit it into your journal’s guidelines. This way, you are also ensuring that the keywords you chose as relevant line up with the journal’s requirements, making the whole process much easier.

Language Editing Services by Elsevier Author Services:

We know that, as an academic researcher, you have many things to do to stay relevant. Writing a manuscript is a crucial part of your endeavors.

That’s why we, at Elsevier Author Services, support you throughout your publication journey with a suite of products and services that help improve your manuscript before submission and beyond.

Check our video Reach the highest standard with Elsevier Author Services to learn more about Author Services.

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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