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ENGL 1010: Composition I

Instructor: Byles

Librarians: E. Scott & S. Williford

Research Project

  • Controversial, Timely Topics

  • 5 Sources Minimum

    • At least one book

    • No more than one website

  • 1100-1500 words

Use the library catalog to find books in our library about your chosen topic.

For Example . . .

Sometimes as you search the catalog, you'll find an item that looks like this:

Notice the phrase [electronic resource] in the title and the location of  Online netLibrary Book Collection -- these two items let you know that this book is a netLibrary online book.  To read this book, click on the title, then click on the Read this ebook online link within the record to browse the book in the NetLibrary database.

 

Magazine and Journal Articles

To quickly locate articles from magazines, journals, and newspapers, visit some library databases, including:

Opposing Viewpoints is an excellent resource to find articles on current or controversial issues.

This database will provide information from a variety of sources:

 

You can find material in Opposing Viewpoints by doing a "Basic Search" . . .

Or you can select from a long list of broad topics provided by the database . . .

MasterFILE Premiere will allow you to find articles on virtually any topic!

Once you do a search, MasterFILE will allow you to view your sources by type:

MasterFILE will also suggest other Subject headings to research, as shown at the left.

EXAMPLES:

General OneFile will lead to some excellent articles on a variety of topics. 

You'll begin with the "Subject Guide Search," which will lead you to a list of "Subject Terms" along with "Subdivisions" for each term. 

EXPLORE the subdivisions to see what you can find!!!

 
is a great database that will provide access to newspaper articles from thousands of sources around the world. 

This database with the "Quick News Search" as shown at the right, which will allow you to search articles from the previous two years. 

To go further back in time, or to be more specific in your search, choose the "Guided News Search" tab for more options.

For example . . .
Wilson OmniFile Full Text will be an excellent source of good articles for this assignment. 

The example at the right will show you how to get started . . .

Notice also that once you do a search, OmniFile gives you a list of suggested subjects that may help to further refine your research.  For example, based on the search shown above, OmniFile suggests . . .

 

 
Tisa's Tips for finding information from electronic databases.

There are many resources on the library's homepage that will help you find information for your projects.  You must decide which ones to use and you may need to use quite a few.  Some things to remember about using databases are:

  • Notice if the database defaults to Subject or Keyword searching.  Try both, then YOU choose the best search for your needs. 

  • Search the keywords of your topic--don't use words like the, a, an or put a long string of words in the search box, such as "how to make better grades without studying more."

  • Think of all the synonyms that you can use to find information about your topic, such as nature, environment, natural, ecosystem, etc.

  • Do several searches by combining words with and as well as by using terms side-by-side, such as organic and gardening or organic gardening to see different results.

  • Most databases show you the most recent information first; the more articles you look at, the older the dates become.   

  • Scan an article before you print; some articles may be quite long or not as useful as you hoped.  

  • Email articles to yourself if you don't have time to read them online, or they are too long to print.

  • Choose information from the best sources, not just the first ones you see.

 

Ask your librarian or instructor for the user id and password to access these databases off campus--or view instructions online.

 

Need help citing sources from Databases?

Be sure to visit the MLA Citation Examples for Electronic Databases!

Related Internet Resources

CAUTION!  Always be EXTREMELY careful when searching the Internet for sources. 

Remember that ANYONE can publish a web page . . . so always ask yourself if the person who published the web page you may be looking at actually KNOWS more about the topic than you do!

Our library's research guides contain lists of websites that have been carefully selected and critically evaluated by librarians.  Check them out! 

 

Still have questions?

Visit the library or call the Reference Desk at 697-4436.

Fall 2007