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1.
Select a Topic
2.
Find Background Information
3.
Identify Search Terms
4.
Know What Types of Sources You Need to Find
5.
Search for Sources of Information
6.
Evaluate Your Sources
7.
Cite Your Sources |
Choose an engaging topic that you
will enjoy researching and writing about. For topic ideas,
- Search a library database called Sirs
Researcher. The database offers useful links, including
"Leading Issues" and "Browse Topics." From the library's
homepage, follow this path to access Sirs Researcher:
1. Click on "Databases"
2. Click on "General Databases"
3. Click on "Sirs Researcher"
4. Click on "Sirs Researcher"
again
5. Look at the topics listed under "Browse
Topics" and "Leading Issues" and click
on a topic to view a host of useful information including
subtopics and full text periodical articles related
to the topic.
- Browse through the library's books series on controversial
topics:
| Pro & Con
Book Series |
Topical Overview
Series |
Current Controversies |
Contemporary World Issues |
Opposing Viewpoints |
Information Plus |
| Taking Sides |
Lucent Overview Series |
These series are very popular with English 1301 students.
Each book in these series covers a single broad topic
(like mass media) and provides pro and con essays or
overview information on subissues related to the topic.
Follow these steps to view all of the
titles in any one series:
1. From the library's home page click
on "Books"
2. Click on "Library Catalog"
3. Select "Title" from the
"Browse Search" box type a series' title
in the search entry box.
4. The results
screen shows you the series' title you typed and the
number of books in that series (in the Opposing
Viewpoints series there are 200 books). Click
on the series' title to begin viewing the books in
that series. Scroll through the titles, reading them
as you go, and when you find one that interests you
write down its call number to locate it in the library.
If the book you need is not at your campus use the
library catalog's request feature to get the book
sent to your home campus.
- Browse through news magazines like Time or
Newsweek, and newspapers like The New York
Times, The Wall Street Journal and The
Washington Post. You will find these publications
in the periodicals section of the library.
- Watch news programs on PBS such as Now and Frontline
-
Visit the University
Writing Center at the University of Central Florida
to peruse a list of research paper and argument topics
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