Use each database's thesaurus or subject headings list to identify the best wording for your topic. For example, ERIC uses:

• Early Childhood Education (birth through grade 3)
• Primary Education (for grades PreK through 3)
• Elementary Education (for grades K through 6, 7, or 8)
• Middle Schools (for grades 5 through 9, especially 6, 7, and 8)
• Secondary Education (for grades 7, 8, or 9 through 12)
• Higher Education (post-secondary -- college and beyond)
• More specific keywords, including "Grade 1," "Grade 2," etc.

Education terminology may vary according to the location. For instance, in the United Kingdom and in other places that use British terminology, "early years" is often used for "early childhood"; "maths" is often used for "mathematics"; "special educational needs" or "SEN" is often used for "special education"; and "further education" is often used for "lifelong education."

Need to find empirical articles? Below is a guide that tells you what they are and how to find them: