English Research Guide

Consider these search tips while using the library databases:

• Selecting the Peer Reviewed filter will bring back just the scholarly/peer-reviewed content that has been reviewed by experts before it was published.
• When selecting keywords to search on, consider brainstorming synonyms and related terms. For example, if researching Freedom of Speech, synonyms and related terms include: First Amendment, artistic expression, political protests, and free speech on the internet.
• Use AND to combine related terms and to focus your search on a smaller result set. For example, searching on "Environmental Racism" AND "Black Communities" is a more focused search than just "Environmental Racism" and will bring back much more refined results.
• Use OR to combine synonyms and to broaden your results (e.g. "Water Shortage" OR Drought).  
• Using quotation marks around words is a search strategy that can ensure the words appear together in your search results (e.g. "Food Deserts"). 

Looking for more databases to choose from?
Check out PCC Library's full list of databases on the A-Z Database List page!

Opposing Viewpoints database

PCC Library's Opposing Viewpoints database has a helpful page for browsing topics related to current events and social issues. Here is how to access it:

• Start on the Opposing Viewpoints database homepage
• If asked to login, use your LancerPoint login
• Click on a button called Browse Topics
• Browse the list for topics that interest you! Each item on the list is clickable to find out more about it.
• Visit Introduction to Using Opposing Viewpoints for a brief tutorial about this database.  

Pew Research Center

The Pew Research Center website is a great resource for browsing topic ideas on current social issues. Here is how to access it:

• Start on pewresearch.org
• Click on a button called Topics
• Browse the list for topics that interest you! Each item on the list is clickable to find out more about it.