Stuck on finding a topic for writing a paper or giving a speech? There are several sources available using the Internet, Library databases such as CQ Researcher, and the Hannon Library Catalog.
Internet Subject Directories and Resources
The Internet is an excellent resource for finding topics for papers. Sites
like the Best Information
on the Net provide links to authoritive resources such as Hot
Paper Topics. Here are some excellent sites for exploring research
topics:
TOPICSearch
TOPICsearch is a database for finding topics from a variety of subject headings. It is an excellent place to begin to search for an idea to write about.
CQ Researcher
CQ Researcher is an online library database that publishes weekly reports about controversial and current topics. Each report gives you background information, statistics and graphs, definitions, a summary of the current situation, a summary of the pros and cons, and a bibliography of articles and books. Topics range from social, gender, and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology.
To find and use:
To find out if your topic or related topics are covered in the most recent issues of CQ Researcher:
- Select the CQ Researcher from the Databases by Title page on the Library Web site
- Using the navigation bar on the left, choose Browse by Date
- Select the most recent issues by clicking on the folder of the current year
- You can then browse through the list of topics
- Click on a topic to see the complete report
- You can also choose the following options for searching: Browse by Topic, or Search
Assignment #1
- Use the directions above to find an issues of CQ Researcher about a topic of interest to you.
- Write down the title and the date the issue was published.
- Using the navigation bar near the top of the page, go to the Contacts and write down at least one contact for this topic.
- What is the issue raised about this topic? (Describe briefly from the report)
- From the Bibliography, find and list one other resource that you could use to find addition information.
Opposing Viewpoints
This is a series of books that attempt to show both sides of controversial issues by including essays from a variety of notable authors. Each book is dedicated to one topic and contains several essays, either pro or con, that are excellent examples of argumentative writing. Bibliographies are also included. Recent topics include genetic engineering, America's prisons, child welfare, the war on drugs, human rights, and more.
To find and use:
To find out if your topic or related topics are covered in any of the Opposing Viewpoints books owned by the Library:
- Select the Hannon Library Catalog
- Do a keyword search for the words "opposing viewpoints"
- If you follow the steps above, you will see the list of Opposing Viewpoints
- Select an individual title to see the subjects and the contents note (Example: Biomedical Ethics)
- In order to find the book in the Library, you will need to note its call number, since each individual book in the series is classified according to its topic
Assignment #2
Find an Opposing Viewpoints book about a topic of interest to you. Write down the title, the author, the date published, and the call number.
Other Series
In addition to Opposing Viewpoints, the library also has several other series of books which provide topic ideas and information about current and controversial issues. These series include Contemporary World Issues, Ideas in Conflict, and The Reference Shelf. Recent topics covered include immigration, endangered species, school violence, Russia and Eastern Europe, volunteerism, and more.
To find and use:
- Select the Hannon Library Catalog
- Do a title or keyword search for the words in the series title (Hint: use a title search for Contemporary World Issues and for Ideas in Conflict; use a keyword search for The Reference Shelf)
- Once you have retrieved a list of individual titles in a series, select a title to see the subjects, and in some cases, the contents note (Example: Cuba from the Reference Shelf series)
- In order to find the book in the Library, you will need to note its call number, since each individual book in these series is classified according to its topic
Assignment #3
Use the directions above to find a book about a topic of interest to you from one of the following series Contemporary World Issues, Ideas in Conflict, or The Reference Shelf. Write down the title, the author, the date published, and the call number.
Please direct inquiries about this page to Dale Vidmar.