Guidance for keyword selection
The guidance below is adapted from Taylor & Francis publishers: See https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/writing-your-paper/using-keywords-to-write-title-and-abstract/
Choosing keywords for your research paper
Choosing the right keywords is crucial for crafting an effective abstract, as well as for helping the right audience discover your paper online. When submitting your paper, you need to include keywords.
These keywords act as labels for your paper, making it easier for others to find it quickly and accurately. There’s a strong link between the number of online views and subsequent citations, highlighting the importance of selecting effective keywords.
To choose the best keywords, think like someone searching for papers on your topic. Consider what words or phrases you would use in your search.
Basic tips for creating your keyword list
- Highlight Key Terms: Read through your paper and identify key terms or phrases that are central to your research focus.
- Create a Shortlist: Compile a shortlist of these highlighted terms.
- Test Your Keywords: Search online using your keywords to see if the results align with your paper and assess their usefulness for others.
- Refine Your Selection: Narrow down your keywords to ensure they are as specific and relevant as possible.
- Evaluate Your Final List: Review your final selection and ask yourself if these keywords will be effective for indexing your paper online.