Sometimes the words you use to search a topic are different from the words used by the library catalog and databases. Before you search, try coming up with other ways to describe your topic.
For example:
- Fracking is also called hydraulic fracturing
- Searches for human trafficking, sex trafficking, modern slavery or enslavement, forced labor, and forced marriage all bring up different results.
If you have trouble finding information on your topic, ask a librarian for help or try some of the search words listed below:
- Explore combining specific topics, terms, or locations
- Example: single payer health care in California
- Social issues or social problems
- Social justice, social conditions, or social aspects
- Environmental issues or environmental problems
- Environmental justice or environmental conditions
- Equity, discrimination, or inequality
- Politics
- Human rights or civil rights
- Causes and effects
- Solutions
- Pros and cons
- Debate
- Activism
- Policy
- Laws and regulations
- Funding
- Politics
- History
- Outcomes or outlook
