Getting Started: Keywords
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Here are some general tips to guide you in choosing your search terms:
- Use keywords or brief (2-word) phrases instead of sentences -- one or two for each part of your topic.
- Use nouns and verbs as your keywords. Avoid most adjectives and adverbs. Think of words that are likely to be used in titles (or that you have seen in titles).
- If your keywords aren't turning up many results, you may need to:
- Try thinking of synonyms or other ways of phrasing your topic. If you can find one or two relevant articles, check to see what subjects are listed for them and try to build keywords from there.
- Try a broader search (broader topic, broader date-range, etc.)
- If you are able to find an article or book on your topic, the database may list keywords or subject terms relevant to your topic. Use these words listed by the database, or in the article.
- You can also read the title and abstract of the article to find relevant keywords.
- Keyword BrainstormingUse this worksheet to start brainstorming keywords and searches for your topic.
Interlibrary Loan
Request materials that we do not own in the Holy Cross Libraries' collections. These materials will be lent from other libraries.
Note: Electronic articles or scanned book chapters usually take 1-2 business days or longer. Print materials need to be shipped through the postal mail, and generally take 5-10 business days or longer.
** Login to the ILLiad Interlibrary Loan System using your campus email account. If this is the first time you're using the system, you will need to set up an account. **
Recommended Resources
- Westlaw Campus Research This link opens in a new window
Legal documents at the federal and state level, including court cases, laws, and legal encyclopedias.
- Westlaw: KeyCiteThis document will explain the symbols in Westlaw that help determine if the information in a document is still valid, partially valid, or out of date.
- HeinOnline: Government, Politics & Law for Academics This link opens in a new window
A library of legal resources including law journals; government, legal and diplomatic documents; books; reports; and historical sources.
- United States Code"The United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is divided by broad subjects into 53 titles and published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives."
- Code of Federal Regulations"The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation."