how to choose keywords for a research paper

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How to Choose Keywords for a Research Paper

With the ever-increasing volume of information available digitally, finding relevant sources has become quite the challenge! To hunt down the articles we want, we use search engines and type in keywords that narrow down results.

Keywords, therefore, are essential for filtering the overwhelming amount of resources available. When we use these parameters in a database or a search engine, we receive a list of results ranked according to relevancy. The more the content of an article reflects the keywords used, the higher it will appear on the results page.

So, what are the best research paper keywords?

How, then, can we make sure that our published articles and academic papers rank higher on search results and not drown in the sea of publications? The answer, of course, is choosing the best keywords! However, there are some pitfalls with using keywords, so the following is a quick guide on how to carefully choose keywords for a research paper and what mistakes to avoid.

Follow any instructions your target journal provides regarding keywords

The journal rules of the specific publication trump all others! For example, most clinical papers use terms from the US National Library of Medicine’s Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) . Many journals request five to eight terms. However, some restrict the nature of the words that can be used. For instance, some journals want single words instead of phrases. Again, double-check journal requirements!

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

Chances are the phrases you choose are going to be similar to what other researchers may use when searching for literature.

Note that in rule #2 we used the term “phrases” instead of “words.” In truth, “keywords” is a misnomer. These days, we search databases using phrases or complete sentences. This is because single-term searches yield a broader list of results than desired. For example, let’s imagine that I want to know the specifics of Jupiter’s air composition. If I type in “Jupiter,” I’ll receive a list containing any document related to Jupiter, but most of them might not be relevant. Therefore,  choose keyword phrases that comprise two to four words .

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

This is particularly true if your journal says not to include them . Why? Your research paper title is searchable and will be weighted (marked to have greater weight by a programming code), so keywords should contain a list of words that  supplement  your title’s content. Even if your journal doesn’t restrict title word use in keywords, we recommend using this valuable real estate for alternate terms (see rule #7).

Keywords should indicate the general subject matter; however,  they should not be too broad . For instance, if you are writing a paper on a newly-discovered epigenetic regulator, you might not want to use general keywords such as “cell biology” or “genetics.” These terms do little to reflect the specificity with which your potential readers search for source materials. Instead, focus on key concepts covered in your abstract.

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

On that note, be careful with spelling/capitalization. While search engines, by default, ignore capitalization rules, hyphenation could be an issue.  Make sure you are using the officially recognized written form of each key term . Failure to do so might result in less hits for your paper. Google Scholar can help with finding the official, correct, and/or mostly used versions of field-specific terms.

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

That is, include significant abbreviations, acronyms, and other short-form or substitute names for your topic. Be careful, however, of using acronyms that could have other meanings. For example, HIV would be a safe abbreviation since most hits would relate to the disease. The term, ARC, on the other hand, has significance in many fields: computer programming, engineering, math, and biology, just to name a few. Therefore, if we mean the ARC file format, then we should use the phrase, “ARC file format,” as a keyword.

Test your keywords before submitting your paper

When you enter your keywords into various journal and academic databases like Google Scholar, do the results include papers similar to your topic? If not, revise the terms until they do.

Use keyword generators with caution

Some sites such as the one offered by the University of Texas provide keyword generators or keyword planners to help you think of other terms you could include. However, make sure that those words actually relate to your paper’s topic. You can double-check relevancy by using the terms as explained in rule #8.

We hope these quick tips help you choose the best research paper and abstract keywords. Remember, the point of these terms is to help your paper gain visibility among your target audience. So, make sure that your search terms are ones that your desired readers would use!

Wordvice Resources

If you need more general advice on writing the abstract or the Introduction, Results, Methods, and Discussion sections of your manuscript, or if you want to know how to impress the editor of your target journal with a convincing cover letter, then head over to the Wordvice academic resources pages, where you’ll find hundreds of articles on how research paper writing tips and techniques.

And before submission, don’t forget to receive professional proofreading and English editing services , including manuscript editing services , from Wordvice academic experts.

• Manuscript Preparation

How to Choose Keywords for a Manuscript?

• 3 minute read
• 70.4K views

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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• Writing Tips

How to Pick the Best Keywords for a Journal Article

3-minute read

• 27th October 2019

Once you’ve written an academic journal article, you may need to pick some keywords before submitting it for publication. These will help people find your work, so read our guide on how to pick keywords for a journal article.

Why Do I Need to Pick Keywords for My Article?

Academic publishers usually ask authors to pick a few keywords whenever they submit a paper. These ‘keywords’ are terms relevant to your article that people can search for on a  journal database .

Along with your title and  abstract , these keywords will impact how many people find, read, and cite your paper. It is therefore vital to give this issue a little thought. But how should you pick keywords for a journal article?

5 Tips on How to Select Keywords

To find the best keywords for a journal article, follow these tips.

1. Use the Publisher’s Guidelines

Check whether the journal’s publisher has any guidelines on how to select keywords. At the very least, they should provide advice on how many keywords are required (usually five to eight). These guidelines are often part of the author instructions, along with advice on writing style and formatting.

2. Focus on the Main Topic of Your Research

Use the main topic of your paper to guide keyword selection. For instance, if your paper is about the medical usage of nanotechnology, your keywords would include terms like “nanomedicine” and “nanopharmaceutics.” It can also help to consider what your target reader is likely to search for in a database.

3. Don’t Duplicate Words from Your Title

The   title of your paper is important partly because it will register on search engines. And since you can only pick a few keywords for your article, you should avoid duplicating any terminology already used in the paper’s title.

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4. Be Specific

Try to be as specific as possible. This may include using “key phrases” of two or three words, since single-word terms can be too ambiguous.

For instance, whereas “nanotechnology” would bring up every paper related to nanotechnology in any way, searching for a key phrase like “cancer nanotechnology” would only find papers specifically about cancer AND nanotechnology. Using specific keywords will therefore help readers with a specific interest in your subject area to find your paper.

5. Test Your Keywords

Finally, once you have selected some keywords, enter them into a relevant journal database. If they bring up articles on topics similar to your own, then you’ve selected good keywords. If not, you may need to try again.

In addition, if you’re struggling to come up with keywords that work, you can search for some articles that cover a similar subject. You can then check their keywords and use these to guide your own choices.

Summary: How to Select Keywords for a Journal Article

In summary, when selecting keywords for a journal article you should always:

• Follow the publisher’s guidelines for selecting keywords.
• Focus on terms related to the main topic of your research.
• Avoid duplicating words used in your title.
• Be specific and use multi-word “key phrases” where possible.
• Test your keywords on a relevant journal database.

Good luck! And let us know if you need help  proofreading your article .

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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 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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Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

Identifying Keywords for Scientific Papers: A Simple 5-Step Guide

Academic writing is an essential component of research work, and one of the most critical elements is identifying the right keywords for scientific papers. As an author, you will want to ensure that your work is found, read, and cited by as many people as possible. But with the sharp increase in research output around the world, this is not always easy. This is where using keywords in research articles become invaluable, because online search results are directly related to which keywords you have chosen and how you have used it in your writing.

Keywords are words or phrases (of 2-4 words) that provide information about your research; it allows search engines to sift through the large amounts of information available online to highlight your work. Hence, if you’ve chosen and used the right keywords in research articles, it will help readers locate your work when searching for relevant content. However, many authors neglect this step due to a paucity of time or a lack of understanding on how to effectively choose and use keywords in research articles. In this article, we outline a simple step-by-step process to create the most effective keywords for scientific papers.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Check your target journal’s guidelines

Most leading international journals have standard author instructions that describe the number of keywords allowed and sometimes even offer a predetermined list of keywords for scientific papers that authors can choose from. Journals usually require about 3-8 keywords, so it’s important to have at least 4-5 effective keywords for scientific papers. This is a good thumb rule to follow if you’ve not finalized your target journal. Depending on the requirements of your specific journal, you can add more keywords in your research article but don’t leave this too late.

Step 2: Examine your research question or topic

Keywords in research articles are designed to help readers locate your paper easily, so it is essential to choose the most relevant words that capture the essence of your research question or topic. That being said, it is advised not to use exact terms from the title of your research paper as keywords. For instance, if the main research question is, “What are the effects of social networks on mental well-being?”, the keywords for your scientific paper could be “social media” and “mental health.” These keywords are important because they are the most relevant to the research topic.

Step 3: Generate a broad list of related terms

Once you have pinned down the main research question or topic, the next step is to generate a list of related terms. Related terms are words or phrases that are related to the main keywords in research articles and are frequently used in the specific field of research. For example, related terms for the main keywords “social media” and “mental health” could be “social networking,” “cyberbullying,” “depression,” “anxiety,” and “self-esteem.” It’s important to note down these terms because they help to broaden the scope of your research paper and make it more discoverable to a wider audience.

Step 4: Evaluate and refine your keywords

After generating a list of potential keywords for the scientific paper, the next step is to evaluate and refine them for your study. You need to carefully consider the relevance, specificity, and uniqueness when shortlisting the most useful keywords to use in your research article.

• Relevance: The keywords you choose should be relevant to your research topic. They should accurately describe the focus of your paper and be helpful to readers searching for content related to your topic. Think from the reader’s perspective and ask yourself what keywords they would use and what could help them discover your article.
• Specificity: The keywords in research articles should be specific to your research topic. They should not be too broad or general, as this may make it difficult for readers to locate your paper. If your paper focuses on a particular region, experimental design, applications, or phenomena consider using these as keywords.
• Uniqueness: Your main keywords should be unique to the contents of your research paper. Consider using variants of terms or phrases that readers are likely to use. Remember, using generic or overused keywords may result in your paper being buried under a large number of search results.

Step 5: Use keywords in scientific papers correctly

Finally, once you have identified the keywords for your research article, it is essential to use them effectively in your paper. Apart from the main keywords, include words and phrases that are closely related to your topic, including acronyms, abbreviations, or full forms of shortened words. Adding keywords in research articles is key to making your research more discoverable, so be thoughtful and strategic in your approach.

Repeat important keywords in research articles to reinforce their significance, especially in the title, abstract and introduction sections to make it easier for readers to quickly find and understand your work. While adding keywords throughout your paper, avoid overusing or stuffing keywords into text in an unnatural way or it could impact the quality of your writing. Finally, remember that identifying effective keywords for scientific papers should be a priority, not an afterthought so make time to choose keywords for your scientific paper with care.

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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.

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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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6 Tips for Choosing Keywords for Your Scientific Manuscript

The main reason for publishing a journal article is to create awareness of your research amongst your colleagues and the wider scientific community.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could become famous or receive the Nobel Prize for your research because colleagues could more easily find your paper?

This may not be likely due to keywords alone, but every scientist wants to be well informed regarding the current advances in their respective field, which can be generally achieved by reading journal articles or books in the field. Typically, when browsing through papers, a researcher only has a general idea of what articles he/she wants, making it difficult to narrow down to only one paper (unless one specific paper is sought out). Additionally, many researchers do searches when they are actively writing their paper, so if your paper is relevant, the chances of a citation are high. Thus, the search criteria, specifically the keywords used for your article, are extremely important.

Keywords help a searcher choose the most relevant research article to read. However, when writing papers, listing the most important keywords is often an afterthought for authors, and rarely do scientists perform research into which keywords are best to include. This is a must and is relatively easy because scientists already know how to analytically research various topics!

Keyword search results are directly related to the quality of the keywords that you choose, just like when searching on Google. Including appropriate keywords in your paper helps indexers and search engines find your paper, thus allowing it to appear at the top in search results. Every researcher should want their research to land at the top of search results so that it can make the highest possible impact.

When a relevant article lands at the top of search results (in Google Scholar, Web of Science, SciFinder, etc.), this can significantly enhance the frequency of citations it receives, and citations can greatly increase your credibility in your field.

Compiled below are 6 tips for choosing appropriate keywords for your manuscript:

1. Include your techniques and/or specific methodology.

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2. Focus on the main topic of your research.

For example, if your research is based on diabetes, possible keywords could be blood glucose, insulin, glucometer, etc. If the topic is hypertension, keywords to include could be blood pressure, circulation, stroke, pulse rate, heart, etc. Just remember to be specific enough that your main area of research is included (see tip 3 below).

3. Avoid keywords that are only one word.

Ensure that the keywords that you select are not too long but also not too short. Keywords that are too short will render the search unspecific, whereas keywords that are too long may filter articles to such a great extent that your paper could be excluded. For example, if your research is on pediatric diabetes, use long tail keywords that are relevant to your study. In this case, ‘blood glucose’ or ‘insulin’ may be too broad, and your paper would be lost in a sea of papers on diabetes.

4. Avoid overlapping keywords in your title and those in your keyword list.

Don’t waste keyword space on words used in your title. This is generally advised by most journals (but check your journal guidelines). Instead, make sure your title utilizes appropriate keywords on your topic that can supplement your keyword list (for example, “The effect of insulin inhibitors on pediatric diabetes in children from 10-12 years old”).

5. Follow the journal guidelines when selecting keywords.

Every journal has certain specifications when it comes to selecting keywords. In medicine, for example, most journals and clinical papers specifically recommend a list of terms drawn from the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s collection of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Usage of the MeSH terms is supposed to aid literature searches and add weight to publications. However, other fields have other guidelines and requirements. Additionally, most journals ask the authors to present 5-8 of the most suitable keywords (and unfortunately, some only want 5-8 single- word keywords) that will enable the publisher and databases to organize the scholarly content. So, be sure to follow their guidelines appropriately.

6. Perform keyword research before submitting your article.

Do a search yourself using the keywords you intend to submit with your article.

Do these keywords pull up articles that are very similar to your own? Or, do you need to tailor your keywords more specifically?

This technique will also give you insight into your competition. For example, which keywords do those papers use that you want to compete with?

Additionally, there are some keyword planners out there that you could use for Google Scholar. Although these are more targeted towards Google searches in general and not towards scientific databases, such as Web of Science, they could give you ideas for keywords that you haven’t yet considered. Thus, these methods can provide you with very valuable ‘keyword research’ and data to develop the best keywords for your article.

Hopefully, these 6 tips will help you stay focused when determining which keywords to include in your paper.

Don’t let your keyword choices be an afterthought!

Keywords are scientific terms that present a perfect summary or key to your study, and it is of utmost importance to provide other researchers with an opportunity to find your paper by choosing the right keywords.

Another great source of information is the book entitled ‘A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations’ by Kate L. Turabian, which provides detailed ideas on choosing keywords for your publication.

I hope this information is helpful for selecting keywords that will successfully connect your research with your target audience. Good luck!

Additionally, Falcon Scientific Editing will be glad to help customers select appropriate keywords upon request. We provide full support and guidance throughout the publication process for customers of our editing, translation, formatting, and illustration services . You are welcome to read our reviews and view samples of our work to see the benefits of working with us!

Other articles you may also like:

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Top 10 Rules to Identify Keywords for your Research Paper

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.

Introduction

Tips for writing keywords  for a research paper, general insights regarding keywords in research papers, which words can not be keywords in my research paper, keyword identification: an example from a 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.

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 first few search page results is a challenging task.  Appearance of an artice 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 the researcher do not have ditrect control over the journal serach ranking on the google search engine in which he/she  has published paper, still he/she can make his article  rank higher with one  simple option.  Keyword listing is one such  section within research paper, where the researcher has privilage to push the  ranking of the paper on 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.

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”, y ou 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.

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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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: Feb 7, 2024 12:23 PM
• URL: https://libguides.lvc.edu/researchpaper

Research Paper Keyword Generator + Tips

• 🤩 Pros of Our Keyword Generator
• 🗝️ What Are Keywords?
• ️🔍 How to Choose Keywords
• 💡 4 Best Tips for Writing Keywords

🔗 References

🤩 pros of our free research paper keyword generator.

Our tool will present you with a list of keywords and phrases from any text you paste. There are several features that make it stand out from similar instruments:

🗝️ What Are Keywords in a Research Paper?

Keywords are phrases and words that reflect a research papers’ main ideas and topics . They help search engines and readers alike to quickly understand what the work is about. Such terms and phrases also allow researchers interested in your subject to promptly find your paper, share it, and cite it. Depending on the format of your work, keywords can be placed in its metadata or the abstract .

Why Are Keywords Important?

Oftentimes, students and professionals alike don’t take the time to choose the keywords for their research papers. They might be under the impression that if the work is good enough, others will find it anyway. In reality, that is not the case.

Choosing the most appropriate keywords has the following advantages:

• More precise search results . It ensures that your papers will be quickly found in search engines and academic registries. This way, researchers and other people interested in the topic have a better chance of coming across your work.
• Showing the paper’s relevance . Key words and phrases get across the main subject of the paper, summarize the main ideas , and make it easier for people to determine if they may be interested in the research.
• Quick communication with evaluators . Having keywords in your work lets your professors quickly comprehend the content and subject of your study.

🔍 How to Choose Keywords in Research Papers

This section will give you an understanding of the general rules about choosing keywords for academic works. There are several things we advise keeping in mind:

• Check the instructions . Before adding keywords, carefully read manuals provided by your professors or scientific journals. These materials should contain the volume of allowed keywords (3–5 on average, up to 10 in rare cases) and explain whether these should be picked from a pre-selected list.
• Choose specific words and phrases . When selecting your keywords, it is best not to use generic phrases. You should avoid abstract concepts or common words, since they can cause your paper to get lost in the search results. Instead, it is best to stay specific to the subject matter. For example, if you write about heart disease, use keys such as “ peripheral arterial disease ” or “acute coronary heart disease.”
• Search for optimized terms . Maximize the paper’s reach by optimizing terms. Google Scholar is a great way to discover the proper terminology for research in different fields.
• Include the methodology . Additionally, it’s essential to name the methodology used in the study. For example, regarding medicine, clinical trial types or experimental techniques are a perfect choice for papers on this subject.

Keywords Format: APA Style

APA is currently one of the most used formats for academic research papers. There are several things students should be aware of when writing works that follow its guidelines.

💡 4 Best Tips for Writing Keywords for Your Research

Finding and incorporating the right keywords in research studies takes time and effort to perfect. We’ve decided to give several tips that will help you hone your research and article-writing skills .

• Avoid keywords that are too narrow or too broad . This is one of the trickiest things to pull off while looking for the perfect keywords. Make them excessively precise, and you will narrow your audience significantly. Make them too broad, and the article will be lost in search results.
• Steer clear of obscure search terms . If you want the work to appear in academic directories, don’t use terms people rarely seek. For example, people rarely search for Latin animal or plant species names, so keep things closer to plain English.
• Don’t mislead readers . Don’t use keys unrelated to your topic to get into the search results. Such things remove credibility from your writing and add unnecessary difficulties for people trying to find it.
• Use the appropriate format . When choosing your keywords, it is best to remember several general rules. For example, you should try avoiding abbreviations where possible. Additionally, it is best to use short phrases rather than singular words.

Our research paper generator will become a valuable tool for your academic pursuits. Also, we recommend you try our effective plagiarism checker ! If you have any questions, check out our FAQ section.

❓ Research Paper Keyword Generator – FAQ

• Consider words and phrases that expand or narrow the paper’s scope.
• Use phrases instead of single words without context.
• Avoid abbreviations.
• Check the guidelines.
• Find short phrases.
• Use general terms.
• Stay specific.
• Mention the methodology.

Updated: Oct 30th, 2023

• How to Write a Research Paper. – Lebanon Valley College
• Keyword Searching: Finding Articles on Your Topic: Select Keywords. – Walden University
• Research Foundations: Choose Keywords. – Seminole State College Library
• Guidelines for Selecting Keywords. – Kansas State University
• A Guide to Writing an Effective Abstract / Selecting Keywords for Discovery. – Cambridge University Press & Assessment
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On this page, you will find an effective research paper keyword generator, which will make your task much more manageable. Additionally, you can use our valuable materials that will assist you in determining which words and phrases are perfect for your research.

Research Foundations: Choose Keywords

• Information Literacy
• The Information Timeline
• Popular, Scholarly, & Trade Publications
• Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary Materials
• Information Formats
• Evaluate Information
• Chapter 1 Self Quiz
• The Pre-Research Process
• Decide on a Topic
• Find Background Information
• Refine Your Topic
• Develop a Thesis Statement
• Choose Keywords
• Create Search Statements
• Chapter 2 Self Quiz
• Search the Library Catalog
• Call Numbers
• Request Books
• Book Research Streamlined
• Viewing eBooks
• Access Media
• Chapter 3 Self Quiz
• About Library Databases
• Find Articles in Databases
• Modify Your Search
• Reading Scholarly Articles
• Chapter 4 Self Quiz
• Citation Styles
• Locate Citation Information
• Copyright & Fair Use
• Creative Commons
• Find & Attribute Images
• Chapter 5 Self Quiz

From your thesis statement, identify the main concepts or keywords. You will use these to find information in search tools like library catalogs, library databases, or on the Web. By creating a list of keywords, you will be able to construct better and more efficient searches. These in turn will lead you to more plentiful and relevant information supporting your thesis.

Follow the three-step process below for discovering keywords. It is helpful to keep track of the keywords on a sheet of paper or a word processing document for reference.

Three-Steps to Choosing Keywords

1. Extract single words or short phrases.

You will not use complete sentences as you would in normal conversation to search. Leave out minor words such as articles ("a," "an," or "the") and prepositions or verb phrases ("on," "in," or "going to").

Also, use nouns (person, place, or thing) as keywords. Avoid verbs (action words) and use adjectives (descriptive words) sparingly.

2. Experiment with different synonyms.

Try thinking of synonyms (words that have the same meaning as another word) of your keywords. For example, you start with the word "trash," but you could also experiment with using the words "garbage" or “waste.” An online or printed thesaurus is a great place to find synonyms.

3. Think of related terms to describe your topic.

What are some other topics or areas related to your thesis? These may be worthy of consideration if you are having trouble finding good keywords or if you want to further refine your research focus. For example, some related terms to "pollution" are "acid rain," "global warming," or "refuse water." The related terms may be more specific or less specific than the original terms in your thesis. Each combination will change the number and type of your search results.

Choosing Search Terms Handout and Video

• Video Tutorial (3m 43s)
• Choosing Keywords for Research

For further explanation, take a look at this short video tutorial on choosing appropriate keywords, or search terms, for your topic.

Example of Three-Steps

Checkout the three-step keyword process in action.

Thesis Statement: Exercise improves health in the elderly.

1. Extract single words or short phrases: → exercise, health, elderly

2. Experiment with synonyms: → physical activity, fitness, working out, well-being, aging adults, older adults

3. Think of related terms: → walking, running, cardio, weight lifting, obesity, disease, diabetes

• << Previous: Develop a Thesis Statement
• Next: Create Search Statements >>
• Last Updated: May 25, 2023 9:24 AM
• URL: https://libguides.seminolestate.edu/researchfoundations

Research Tips and Tricks

• Getting Started
• Understanding the Assignment
• Topic Selection Tips
• Narrowing Your Topic Tips

Major Terms

Keywords example, tools to help, videos about keywords.

• Developing A Search Strategy
• Scholarly vs Popular Sources
• What Are Primary Sources?
• Finding Scholarly Articles
• Finding Scholarly Books
• Finding Primary Sources
• Citing My Sources This link opens in a new window

When searching for resources,  DO NOT  enter the whole research question. 

Unlike a Google search, a journal article database cannot sort through all the words, and the results will be all over the place, or you will get no results.

The best method is to create a search strategy using keywords.

Begin by examining your research question to determine the major concepts or words with a specific meaning. These terms will form the basis of your search. 

When picking keywords avoid all minor words ("a," "an," or "the"), and prepositions or verb phrases ("on," "in," or "going to").

Also, use verbs (action words) and adjectives (descriptive words) sparingly.

For example, if your research question is:   

Does playing video games increase the chance that children will be violent?  

Words such as (does, the, that, chance, will, and be) don't have a specific meaning, so we can cross them out.  

Does playing video games increase the chance that children will be violent?

"Playing" is an action verb to describe what someone does with the game, and since there aren't other options, we can also cross this word off.  

Does   playing video games increase  the chance that  children  will be  violent?

While "increase" is getting at the relationship between violence and video games, if you include it, you will prejudice the results because you will be excluding results that talk about video games decreasing violence. 

Does   playing  video games increase  the chance that  children  will be  violent?

In the end, we are left with three major concepts in the sentence are:   

Video Games

Children  

Now you can develop these concepts into search terms that you can use do develop your search strategy.

A variety of words may describe your keywords, so you should brainstorm possible synonyms for them.  For example, children and youth are two different words used to describe a similar concept (human beings under the age of 18).  If you only entered the term "children" into a search of a database, then you would miss all the articles that deal with "youth."  To maximize the number of results you will get in a search, you need to include synonyms. Here is a list of possible synonyms of the keywords we identified:

If you need help generating synonyms for your keywords, try a few searches and look at the language the papers use or look at a thesaurus.

Source  and Source

• Worksheet This worksheet will help you generate keywords.
• Choosing and Using Keywords
• Selecting & Using Keywords
• One Perfect Source?

• << Previous: Narrowing Your Topic Tips
• Next: Developing A Search Strategy >>
• Last Updated: Feb 16, 2024 10:08 AM
• URL: https://kingsu.libguides.com/research

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Keywords for Research Article: an Effective Guide

Table of Contents

With the myriad of online resources, it can be challenging to find relevant information.

Keywords are a way we can cut through the clutter and discover what we are looking for quickly. This is why incorporating the right keywords into articles, blogs, and websites is crucial. Identifying relevant  keywords for research articles  and incorporating them into your paper is the best way to ensure a top search engine ranking. 

The more an article aligns with the keywords a user searches for, the higher it will rank on SERPs. Optimizing your content with relevant keywords that match users’ search terms improves the visibility of your research paper.

This post details how to choose relevant keywords for your research article.

What Are Keywords in a Research Paper?

Keywords are words or phrases searchers type into search engines to find specific information .

In research papers, keywords are the terms that define a given topic and make it easier for searchers to find the content. Keywords help search engines match relevant search results with search queries, providing users with the most relevant and valuable information. 

Importance of Keywords in Research Papers

Keyword helps search engines decide which research article is most relevant to a search query.

When an Internet user wants to find something online, they typically enter a keyword that describes what they’re looking for. Search engine algorithm scans webpages to find those with similar or the exact keywords searched for. The more matches a content has with the user’s keywords, the more likely the article will appear in search engine results. 

The goal of every researcher is to get their article on the first page of the search engine results page (SERP). Discovering and incorporating the relevant keywords into your paper will improve your chances of higher rankings on search engines.

How to Choose the Best Keywords for Research Article

Choosing relevant keywords will improve your search engine rankings and ensure your research paper is found . Here are some tips for selecting the right keywords for your research paper.

1. Follow the Guidelines of Your Target Journal

Every journal has specifications when it comes to selecting keywords. Take the time to learn and follow your target journal’s instructions on keywords. For example, most clinical papers use terms drawn from the  US National Library of Medicine’s Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).  Other fields have their guidelines and requirements.

Most journals ask authors to present 5-8 terms. Some journals request only  single-word  keywords, making it easy for publishers and databases to organize the article, while others request phrases . Ensure you understand the guidelines for your target journal and follow them appropriately.

2. Identify Terms Related to Your Topic

Consider the terms researchers may use to search for papers related to your topic. For example, if your research article is on climate change , your keywords may include climate , global warming , earth , and biosphere . Target these keywords in your manuscript to ensure your research paper appears in the results of relevant searches.

3. Identify Terms That Summarize Your Work As a Whole

Identify and use keywords that represent and summarize your article as a whole. Some of these terms may be the main features of your paper, like population, setting, or variables.

Remember to keep an eye on the bigger picture as well. Identify the theories, processes, or concepts your paper covers, even if the specific names do not appear in your manuscript.

4. Include Your Techniques or Methodology

You may use key methods or experimental techniques your research revolves around as keywords. Be careful with spelling and capitalization, and also ensure that you use the officially recognized form of each key term. This is so your paper isn’t left out of searches for that keyword.

You can find the official, correct, and most commonly used versions of field-specific terms using Google Scholar.

5. Include Both Generic and Specific Terms

Avoid single-word keywords that are too general and vague. Make sure your keywords aren’t too long and not too short. Too short keywords will make the search unspecific. On the other hand, too-long keywords may filter your article to the point where it will be unindexed in search engines.

Use specific and general terms your potential readers will look for. For instance, if your article is on climate change , you may use general terms like “Global Warming” and “Earth.” And also more specific long-tail keywords relevant to your study.

6. Perform a Search to Test Your Keywords

Search Google and academic databases like Google Scholar for the keywords you want to submit. Do the keywords bring up articles similar to yours? If not, you may need to make some changes. 

This technique will also give you an idea of who your competition is. Examine the keywords they target to get ideas on how to refine your keyword list.

Keywords are an integral part of every research paper. They’re the means through which search engines determine which content is most relevant to a search query.

Choosing the most relevant keywords for your research topic is critical. The wrong choice of keywords can be detrimental to your article and even cost you opportunities to get read! On the other hand, the right keywords can improve your search engine rankings.

When choosing keywords, follow the instructions of your target journal. Identify terms related to your topic, including those that summarize your work as a whole. Also, consider using the techniques or methodology your research revolves around as keywords. Avoid only single-word keywords; instead, use both generic and specific terms. Finally, perform a search to test your keywords and refine your keyword list if necessary.

Alexander De Ridder

Co-Founder of INK, Alexander crafts magical tools for web marketing. SEO and AI expert. He is a smart creative, a builder of amazing things. He loves to study “how” and “why” humans and AI make decisions.

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