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Social Justice

Peer Reviewed vs. Popular Articles

Your professors tell you to use scholarly sources, but what's the difference?

These resources will help you understand why scholarly sources are better to use in research.

Social Justice Databases

Learn more about searching and using features from Gale OneFile: Environmental Studies through these videos.

GreenFILE is an EBSCOhost database, so learn more about searching and using resources through these resources.

Learn more about searching and using features from Gale In Context: Agriculture through these videos.

Learn more about searching and using features from Gale In Context: Global issues through these videos.

Learn more about searching and using features from Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints through these videos.

Learn more about searching and using features from Gale OneFile: Diversity Studies through these videos.

Getting Started with HeinOnline provides search tips and the research process.

Keyword Searching in Databases

Need help finding keywords for your searches? How do keywords work? 

These resources will help you understand the process better so that you find what you are looking for, first!

Database Search Tips

Searching a library database is different than searching Google. You don't want to type in "jealousy as a theme in Othello as related to Christianity."

Instead, break down those concepts... they are your keywords.

  • Jealousy
  • Othello
  • Christianity

Then, use the Advanced Search option in the database to put each term in its own box (or link the terms with AND -- "jealousy AND Othello AND Christianity"). Either option streamlines your search and helps the database know what you need!

Remember, you probably will want to select the options for Full Text and Peer Review so you can find the best articles out there for your paper!

Have a concept, story title, etc. that is more than one word? Use quotation marks to search them together, like "The Yellow Wallpaper."

Keywords not working? Try thesaurus.com for other suggestions!