English 101 (College Writing) Research Guide: K. Dine' Mongold assignments
Recommended databases
Pro/con databases
These databases link to articles, news reports, viewpoints, and statistics on a variety of current issues from a several contrasting viewpoints.
- Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new windowPro/con database of social issues. This is a great place to get topic ideas. Start by looking under the subject areas on the main screen of the database, or try keyword searching if you have something specific in mind.
- CQ Researcher (Congressional Quarterly) This link opens in a new windowIn-depth reports on current issues. Note: Do not use the e-mail function in this database. Print or download the articles.
Find 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.
- "Hot Topics" Internet SitesA collection of web sites which provide background information on numerous social and public policy issues.
- Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues
This 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. - More social issues e-booksA collection of electronic encyclopedias on various subjects like racism, disability, gun control, and animal rights.
Find Background Info: Gale eBooks
Don't know the first thing about your topic? Need basic info and the history of a controversial issue? Reference sources (like encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks) are a great place to start. Click the link below, and try your topic in the search box.
How to use Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Tips
Search tips
- What's a database? A database contains published information in a way you can search for it. You will mostly use them to search for scholarly journal articles and news or magazine articles.
- Switch from "basic search" to "advanced search" in any database to search more than one term at once.
- Search with keywords, not sentences. For example:
- Don't type in a full sentence: Should we be worried that all of these Internet-connected devices in our homes may be spying on us?
- Do search by one or two major concepts: "internet of things" and privacy
- A lot of articles in our databases only show a summary or preview of the article. To only see articles where you can read the whole thing, check the box to limit to full text.
- In general, if you don't see a checkbox to limit to full text, then the database contains all full text sources (ex. Gale eBooks).
Research is a trial and error process, and librarians are happy to help you brainstorm or find articles! See the box below for ways to get in touch with us.
Need help?
Extra tools
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- NoodleBibNoodleBib is a tool that can help you make correctly-formatted citations in MLA style. Contact the librarians anytime for help with NoodleBib.
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