Ethnic Studies 101 -- Estrada Library Research Guide

You will encounter a variety of terms or subject headings depending on the database or web site. You may find that you need to try multiple terms or keywords to find the results you need for your research. There can be a delay in academic language to include colloquial or natural everyday language. Terminology can often be outdated or inaccurate as well. 

Databases often use a controlled language list which might reflect the preferred vocabulary. Chicano or Chicana will rarely be used, but Mexican American, Hispanic American, Latino, Latina or Latinx may appear as the preferred terminology. Keep in mind the same could potentially apply to various terms (this is not an all-inclusive list): African Americans, Black Americans, Blacks, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Chinese Americans, Vietnamese Americans, South Asian Americans, East Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, Native Americans, Indians of North America, Indigenous, and American Indians are some examples.