Develop a Search Strategy / Databases - Prof. Rubenstein - Eng. 99/101 - FALL 2025 Civil Disobedience - Harold L. Drimmer Library Research Guides at Westchester Community College Library

Planning Your Search Strategy

Search Strategies for Finding Articles in Library Databases

Use keywords, synonyms/related concepts, truncation and subject terms:

Relevant keywords are necessary for effective research. You can start by taking keywords directly from your thesis statement or research question:
Use synonyms and related concepts:
Examples:
- civil resistance OR civil disorder
- social movements OR political movements
- reason OR justification
- public demonstrations OR marches OR sit-ins
Use truncation:
You can broaden your search results by typing an asterisk symbol * at the end of the root of a word. When you do this, the database will search for alternative endings for that word.

Example:

Typing protest* will include results for the words

protests protesting protested protesters
Use subject terms from articles in your search results:
When you find an article, look at the subject terms that appear under the title. Can you use any of those terms?

Academic Search Complete

A general database covering many areas of academic study. Find articles from over 7,000 full-text periodicals and abstracts from more than 11,000 additional journals.
JSTOR
Archives of over one thousand leading academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as select monographs and other materials valuable for academic work.
America: History and Life with Full Text
Covers the history and culture of the United States and Canada, from prehistory to the present. With selective indexing for over 1,700 journals from 1955 to present, also provides full-text coverage of more than 230 journals and nearly 100 books.
Historical Abstracts with Full Text
Covers world history from the 15th century forward. For history of the United States and Canada, use America History and Life.