As you begin any research process, it's useful to consider how you might shift your search at the outset - this way, if you don't find what you're looking for, you have alternate terms at the ready. Start with your main ideas and consider their synonyms or alternate terms. You can structure this in any way that makes sense - in an outline, for example, or in a concept map:
Some of the synonyms or alternate terms you identify might be broader terms, while others might be narrower - for instance, Facebook is a much more focused term than "social media." Because the terms you use in your search will affect the kinds of results you see, consider whether you want a specific perspective or slant, and if you are considering a unique population. For instance, do you want to consider the benefits of Facebook on high school students' grade point average? This re-examines your research question from a more focused angle.
