Credo: This database contains full-text reference resource with articles, images, audio files, and videos covering every major subject. Their concept maps are especially helpful for viewing related subjects.
Issues and Controversies (Facts on File): Articles in this database cover hot topics in politics, business, government, crime, law, energy, education, health, family, science, foreign policy, race, rights, society, and culture (Updated weekly). They offer pro/con articles on each topic included.
Issues and Controversies in History: Articles cover the great debates and conflicts in U.S. and world history.
Pro/Con.org: Provided by Britannica, this website presents both sides of major issues today.
wikiHow: Gives 14 ways to find a topic for your research paper
1. Review your course materials.
Make sure that you understand the requirements of your assignment.
2. Search for hot issues in your subject area.
3. Identify the main concepts embedded in your topic.
A research topic may contain 2-4 main concepts.
Identify and create a list of search terms that express aspects of your topic.
4. Test your idea by looking for sources on your topic idea.
5. If you find your topic is too broad or too narrow, do more in-depth research and build a list of potential sources.
Tweak your topic to fit the information available.
Example 1: Too broad: Wind turbines [Narrow it to how wind turbines affect various animal populations.] Example 2: Too narrow: How are wind turbines affecting the bird population in Naples, New York? [Broaden it by expanding the geographic area.] |
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| Some topics are too recent to to have a great deal of information available. |