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Research Basics

Writing a research paper? This guide will help you find the sources you need from the library.

Background Research - learn more about your topic so you can search smarter

Use reference materials, like specialized encyclopedias, to find an overview of your topic & brainstorm ideas.


Try these online databases to search for reference / encyclopedia articles about your topic:

Remember that books & encyclopedias tend to be about broader subjects, so if you have trouble finding something that relates to your topic, try broadening your search terms. 

For example, if <sophomores> doesn't give you relevant results, try <undergraduates> or <college students>.

Need ideas? Check out our Hot Topics books to spark your research

Immigration Bans

How do immigration bans affect different groups? How can nations reconcile humanitarian and security concerns for refugees? How much of the nation s economy depends on immigrant labor? And finally, do increased border controls and deportations actually work?

Toxic Masculinity

Since the emergence of the #MeToo movement, the term "toxic masculinity" has been used as an insult, a defense, and a lazy explanation of society's ills. What is toxic masculinity? Is it inherently a condemnation or is it a nuanced labeling of the limitations of gender roles?

Privilege in America

The word "privilege" gets thrown around a lot during discussions of inequality in America, whether it be about race, gender, or wealth. But how serious an issue is privilege, really? Is it manufactured by marginalized groups? Should those with marked advantages feel threatened?

Automation of Labor

There have been many benefits to automation, including affordable pricing and accessibility of goods through mass marketing, but its impact on the workforce also has the potential to cripple society. While automation saves billions of dollars for corporations, it also eliminates jobs from the workforce.

Gender in the 21st Century

Once we understand that gender is distinct from sex, a whole world of possibilities open up, along with the potential for confusion. Shifting attitudes about the roles of men and women have allowed younger generations to refuse to be pigeonholed into conventional gender norms. As a result, the 21st century seems ripe for a gender revolution.

Mass Shootings

Since 2016, the United States has experienced an average of nearly one mass shooting per day. Is this the new normal, or can something be done to prevent these slaughters? The diverse viewpoints in this volume will help your readers explore the topic of mass shootings, their causes and effects, and potential solutions for eliminating them.

The Prison Industrial Complex

The United States boasts the highest incarceration rate in the entire world. Perhaps not coincidentally, mass incarceration has been a financial boon to the private prison industry. The diverse perspectives in this volume examine the history of private prisons in the United States.

Environmental Catastrophe

With the global impact of environmental catastrophes becoming increasingly pronounced, scientists and politicians alike question what the best course of action may be to slow or even reverse the devastation.