Research

So you have a paper or project due and you don't know where to start? Use this guide to help you pick a researchable topic, search for sources effectively, and keep track of your research.

Generating Topic Ideas

If you are able to choose your topic:

Does anything in today's news interest you?
Look over recent hot topics in news websites
Review your class readings
Consider your personal interests
Talk to someone: a friend, your instructor, a librarian

The Library provides access to some great resources to start your research process. These are great places to get background information and initial, credible sources for your paper or project!

Issues & Controversies
Updated weekly, Issues & Controversies helps researchers understand today's crucial issues by exploring hundreds of hot-button topics in politics, government, business, society, education, and popular culture.
Global Issues
Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Opposing Viewpoints In Context is the premier online resource covering today’s hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration, to marijuana. Also provides access to The Leader Telegram.

Using AI for Topic Ideas

While you should not use or cannot trust AI for every step in the research process, it is a great tool for helping you narrow down and refine a topic you're interested in researching. See this example using ChatGPT:

Getting More Specific

Prepare to search breaking your topic down into potential keywords.

What is your topic?

Example: How does poverty affect children?

What are some alternative words related to your topic?

poverty	children
poor	child
underprivileged	kids
low income	young people
socioeconomic status	family or families

Is there a specific aspect of this question that interests you?

health housing nutrition religion development family education politics safety