English 101 (College Writing) Research Guide: Bohn Cause and Effect Essay
Recommended databases
Start here
- Academic Search Premier This link opens in a new windowMultidisciplinary database including journals and popular periodicals.
- CQ Researcher (Congressional Quarterly) This link opens in a new window
How to use Films on Demand
- Films on Demand This link opens in a new window
In addition to streaming sites you subscribe to, you can find documentaries from HBO, PBS, and BBC through the library database Films on Demand! Watch them off-campus using your student ID number. The video below is a short intro on how to use this database.
Search strategies
General search tips
- Search with keywords, not sentences:
- Full sentence: Does American social media use weaken our democracy?
- Major concepts: "social media" and democracy
- Use Advanced search to search more than one term at once.
- Think of synonyms and related ideas and try them in different combinations.
- The types of sources you find will depend on the databases you search:
- For research studies try Academic Search Premier.
- For opinion pieces and sources arranged by subject, try Opposing Viewpoints.
- For articles written for a general audience, check out ProQuest Newspapers, and the magazines in Academic Search Premier.
- For background information on topics, Gale eBooks is a great place to start.
Research is a trial and error process, and librarians are happy to help you brainstorm or find articles! Chat with us during library hours, or Email anytime.
Looking for ideas?
Need an idea for a controversial topic to write about? Each of these links leads to a list of different social and cultural issues and some background info about them.
- Saint Ambrose University Library "Hot Paper" Topics ListSkim this list of hot topics and click on links you're interested in for more info on things like the opioid crisis, police brutality, or immigration.
Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social IssuesThis scholarly encyclopedia covers critical issues in American society. Topics range from biotechnology to identity theft, from racial profiling to corporate governance, from school choice to food safety.
- ProCon.orgRun by the publishers of Encyclopedia Britannica, this nonpartisan site presents pro and con arguments on controversial issues. Browse their list of topics for ideas!