COMM 5000: Introduction to Graduate Studies

Once you've selected a topic, create a list of words and phrases that describe the concept. Then create a list of synonyms and similar phrases that might also be used to describe the concept. If your topic is "the effects of online courses on academic performance in higher education," you might identify the following initial terms:

• online courses
• academic performance
• higher education

After identifying synonyms and similar terms, the list might look like this:

• online courses, web-based instruction, distance education
• academic performance, academic achievement, student evaluation
• higher education, university, college

For help identifying additional synonyms and similar phrases, check these sources:

• Subject headings of relevant articles in a database
• Subject headings of relevant books in the library catalog
• Indexes in textbooks