Develop a Search Strategy / Databases - Prof. Rubenstein - Eng. 101 - SPRING 2024 Civil Disobedience - Harold L. Drimmer Library Research Guides at Westchester Community College Library

Planning Your Search Strategy

Search Strategies: using keywords, synonyms / related concepts and truncation:

Relevant keywords are necessary for effective research. You can start by taking keywords from your thesis statement or research question.

There are other ways to develop additional keywords.

1. Use synonyms and related concepts:

Look at the subject terms for articles in your search results and see if you can use any of those.
Think of synonyms for your keywords. Examples:
- civil resistance OR civil disorder
- reason OR justification

2. Use truncation:

You can broaden your search results by typing an asterisk symbol * at end of the root of a word. When you do this, the computer will search for alternative endings for the word you have typed.

For example,

Typing protest* will yield results for

protests protesting protested protestation

Typing legal* will yield results for

legalize(d) legality legalization

Suggested Databases

The library’s databases include multicultural perspectives in scholarship that are often overlooked and underrepresented (Ex. Ethnic News Watch, LGBTQ+ Source, EBSCO Diversity eBooks Collection).

Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window
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 This link opens in a new window
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 This link opens in a new window
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.
Ethnic News Watch This link opens in a new window
Newspapers, magazines, and journals of the ethnic and minority press, providing researchers access to essential, often overlooked perspectives. With titles dating from 1990.
Films on Demand This link opens in a new window
Films on Demand is a streaming video platform offering a robust collection of streaming videos for educational use. In addition to a core collection of content from educational video producer Films Media Group, Films on Demand streams content from a growing list of quality documentary sources. For help in using some of the more advanced features of this product, such as building playlists and sharing, contact a librarian.

Prof. Rubenstein - Eng. 101 - SPRING 2024 Civil Disobedience: Develop a Search Strategy / Databases

Planning Your Search Strategy

Suggested Databases

Example of a Database Search

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