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BHSc Library Research Guide

Explore library resources for the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program at McMaster

Identify Search Terms

Search terms can be keywords, synonyms for those keywords, or subject headings (e.g. MeSH).

The key concepts in your research question are a great starting point.

For example:

  • Some search terms to describe the age group 13-18 could be:
    • teen, teens, teenager, adolescents, young adult etc.
  • Terms to describe diabetes
    • diabetes, diabetic, T1DM, T2DM, insulin dependent etc.

Use the concept chart below to develop your search terms and build your strategy

Using Subject Headings and Keywords To Describe Concepts

Or read this infographic in an alternate format


What Have You Learned?