Library Guides Alert!
We are experiencing issues with some Internet Explorer browsers not displaying updates/changes made to the library research guides.
Use Firefox or other non-IE browser (Chrome, Safari, etc) to ensure you are seeing the latest, most up-to-date versions of the library research guides.
Please contact an LPC Librarian if you have any questions or concerns.
Newspaper & Magazine Headlines
Scan the headlines of print or online newspapers or magazines for ideas on current topics.
Examples:
The Web
- Pew Research Center: TopicsWebsite for the nonpartisan fact tank. "Conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research does not take policy positions."
- Intelligence Squared DebatesWebsite for the Oxford-style debate program.
Topical Websites
Browse these science-related webpages for ideas:
Browse Encyclopedias
Read the articles in encyclopedias to get background information, overviews, and summaries on a topic. Scan the index and topic outlines for keywords to use later when searching other resources.
Examples of print general encyclopedias:
World Book
Encyclopedia Americana
Examples of print subject-specific encyclopedias:
Celebrating Women in American History
Social Issues in America
Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues
Opposing Viewpoints & CQ Researcher
These research databases, also accessible off-campus, cover hot-button issues.
Opposing Viewpoints Features current controversial issues in pro/con viewpoint articles, topic overviews, links to Websites, and magazine and newspaper articles. Includes statistics and primary documents.
For ideas:
- Click on the Browse Issues link in the grey bar to peruse the full list of topics.
- Or, browse issues by category:
Business and Economics; Energy and Environmentalism; Health and Medicine; Law and Politics; Science, Technology and Ethics; Society and Culture; War and Diplomacy
CQ Researcher Features nonpartisan reporting and analysis of current controversial social, economic, political, and environmental issues. Each report includes an overview, background, chronology, current situation, outlook, and bibliography.
For ideas:
- "Hot Topics": Short reports on the most researched subjects in CQ Researcher.
- "Issue Tracker": Mouse-over the Browse Reports link, then click on "Issue Tracker" for a list of topics.
