A word about words.

I talk to you a lot about words; about getting the keywords right, about putting "speech marks around anything that moves", about sppelling thigs prooperly, about using keywords imaginatively and being succinct.

One issue that's come up a lot recently is the changing nature of words. Because you're all searching platforms (quick search box, database or web) of one kind or another this is an issue for all students.

Every time you search for information on a topic where the terminology changes quickly, such as race, sexuality, mental and physical illness or equality, then be aware that you might need to use search terms that are not currently acceptable. You really don't have to go far back in time before coloured replaces black or non-white, homosexual is more prominent than gay and so on.

Of course ultimately it's your choice on what keywords you choose for any search, but don't assume that just because the terminology isn't the most recent that the research is no good.

There. And I managed to get though this whole post without mentioning political correctness. Oh blast.