Key takeaways
- Keywords determine whether researchers find your paper in database searches.
- Use 4–6 specific terms—mix broad field terms with precise method or topic terms.
- Check how similar published papers tag their keywords.
Keywords are not an afterthought. They are the metadata that determines whether your paper appears when researchers search Scopus, IEEE Xplore, PubMed, or Google Scholar. Poor keyword choices bury your work; strategic choices amplify its reach.
How to select effective keywords
- 1List terms you would use to search for your own paper.
- 2Review keywords on 5–10 similar published papers in your target journal.
- 3Include your method, population, technology, and outcome terms.
- 4Use established terminology—avoid invented abbreviations.
- 5Select 4–6 keywords; most journals cap at 6–8.
Keyword mistakes to avoid
- Repeating words from your title without adding search value.
- Using overly broad terms: 'research,' 'analysis,' 'study.'
- Keywords that do not appear in your paper body.
- Acronyms without spelling out on first use in keywords field.