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Choosing a Topic
Your research paper should be about something that interests you, something you are curious about and that has some kind of relevance or significance to you. Remember, you will be dedicating a lot of time to this topic! Be creative and flexible with your topic. Sometimes topics are too broad or too narrow. If the topic is too big, it is better to focus on some interesting aspect of it. If it is too specific, it may be difficult to find enough information.
Rock Music - Topic is too broad
Rock Music in El Paso in the 1960's - Topic is too narrow
If you are looking for a current topic, a social issue, or current trends, consult these links:
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100 Ideas Research Paper Topics
Global: Ideas Bank
Hot Paper Topics
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Idea Generator
Issues
VV Library Current Issues - Hot Topics |
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In Reference (at V.V. Library):
Specialized Encyclopedias -
Ask a librarian to show you a specialized encyclopedia on a subject area that interests you. Some examples:
- Encyclopedia of American War Films
- Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice
- Encyclopedia of Family Life
- Encyclopedia of Gun Control and Gun Rights
In Periodicals:
Use some of the Online Databases, ( use the databases listed under the category "controversial issues.")
- CQ Researcher [Click on the left, "Browse reports."]
- Opposing Viewpoints [ Click on the top bar, "Issues."]
- Sirs Researcher [Click on the right, 'Leading Issues.']
In Circulation:
When browsing these sources, take note of the following:
- How the topic is narrowed?
- Is there enough information available on your topic?
- Does your instructor approve your subject?
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Background and Overview
General and specialized encyclopedias will give you a background and overview on your topic. This is helpful to get focused, have a better understanding of your topic and to get familiar with related concepts and terminology. Once you get familiar with your topic, it is easier to develop search strategies in the online databases and on the Web. Consult the following links or look for specialized encyclopedias on the Web or in the Reference section of the library. Most of the Reference Books at the Library are NOT available online.
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Searching for Books
Tips for searching the catalog:
- The vocabulary in the catalog and online databases is a controlled vocabulary. So, there will be times when you will be unsure as to what is the subject assigned by the Library of Congress. In order to use the catalog to its fullest, try different methods, different strategies. For example, when trying a keyword and getting relevant results, look what subject was assigned to that particular title. Then, do a subject search to get more relevant hits.
- An author search will retrieve hits by the author NOT about the author. If you are looking for information about the author or for literary criticism, try a SUBJECT search under the author's last name.
- The Library catalog is NOT an index to journal, magazines and newspapers articles; it does NOT contain full text articles. If you need articles, use the Online Databases or the link on this site Searching for Articles.
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Cyberlibraries
General Directories
Full-Text Books (and digitized images)
- E.P.C.C. E-Books [Click on "Off Campus Access."]
- Internet Archive [Links to various historical collections in full text format; also includes an archive to films and audio.]
- Internet Classics Archive [Full text access to classics in literature]
- NYPL Digital Gallery ["provides free and open access to over 800,000 images digitized from the The New York Public Library's vast collections, including illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints."]
History, Law, Culture
- Avalon Project at Yale University [Digitized documents on law, history and diplomacy, from pre-18th to 21st century]
- Cornell University Library Digital Collections [Over 40 collections on a variety of topics: science, history, photographs, witchcraft, etc.]
- Early Americas Digital Archive [is a collection of electronic texts and links to texts originally written in or about the Americas from 1492 to approximately 1820]
- Library of Congress [ For U.S. government, history and popular culture]
- Luminarium [Anthology of medieval, renaissance 17th century and restoration English Literature]
- Making of America ["Primary sources in American social history from the antebellum period through reconstruction. The collection is particularly strong in the subject areas of education, psychology, American history, sociology, religion, and science and technology."]
- Plays [Organized by historic periods]
- Poetry Archive [Look for poets or poems]
- World digital Library [ primary materials from countries and cultures around the world]
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Searching for Articles
What is a Magazine? What is a Journal?
The following are sites on the OPEN Web. For full text articles, it is easier to search the online databases, or the CLOSED Web.
- EdItLib Digital Library: Journals [ journal articles on research, developments, and applications related to Educational Technology]
- DOAJ [Directory of Open Access Journals; over 1090 free, full text, quality controlled scientific and scholarly journals]
- Internet Public Library Online Newspapers [Organized by regions of the world]
- MagPortal [ Excellent access to individual magazine articles on the Web]
- Magazines-Ezines [Comprehensive list/links, from RefDesk.com]
- Harvard Gazette [Harvard University keeps us abreast of new research developments on the arts, culture, science, national & world affairs]
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Searching the Web
When searching the Web and the Online Databases, consider all possible words or phrases that best describe your topic. Include related words, variations of the word (plurals, spelling) and synonyms. Link concepts or keywords together.
V.V. Library from Your House [Power Point presentation]
Helpful sites selected by V.V. Librarians
Tutorials:
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