Learn More About Your Topic
In addition to your book, 40 Chances, listed below are places you can go to learn more about a general topic.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowDetailed reports on issues in the news. Reports include background information, chronology of important events, pro/con section, outlook, and more. (VCCS)
- Opposing Viewpoints (Gale In Context) This link opens in a new window
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Look for VIEWPOINTS - ProQuest Research Library This link opens in a new window
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Proquest has articles from magazines and newspapers. Use this to find news related to your topic -- it's best to be a little more specific so you aren't overwhelmed with articles. For example:
human trafficking AND Europe
human trafficking AND debate
human trafficking AND controversy
- GoogleType in a general topic, then add a word like "debate" or "controversy." For example:
child soldiers debate
child soldiers controversy
There is a range in the quality and reliability of the sources you find on the Web. If you want to use a website as a source in your paper, you should first very carefully evaluate it, looking especially at the author, the publisher, and the purpose of the site.
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
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Collection of encyclopedias on many topics. Use for your own background knowledge, not as a source in your paper. - Issues & Controversies This link opens in a new windowDetailed reports on controversial issues in the news. (VCCS)
- BooksThe table of contents of a book on a general topic can give you ideas for narrowing the topic.
Video: Picking Your Topic Is Research
View this video from North Carolina State University to learn more about how to pick a topic:
Things to Look for
To develop your general topic into an arguable topic, you will first need to read about it to learn what the issues are. Here are some ideas of things to look for:
- Who is affected by or involved with your topic? (what are names of key people, groups, and organizations?)
- Where is your topic an issue (is there a location you want to focus on?)?
- What are the questions and issues related to your topic? What are some specific challenges or problems?
- What do people disagree about?
- Are there political, policy, or diplomatic debates?
- Debates over solutions or treatments?
- Debates over causes?
Country Information (Encyclopedias)
These online encyclopedias and reference sources can be used from off campus- you will be prompted to log in with your myNova username and password. Encyclopedias are not typically used as sources in a research paper - they are for your own background information.
- AtoZ: World Culture This link opens in a new windowInformation about the nations of the world. Includes information about history (in the "Overview" section), demographics, government, economy and trade (in the "Country Profile" section) and business culture.
- Governments of the WorldIncludes information on the history, economy and governments of countries.
Country Information (Websites)
- World Bank: Country ProfilesSelect a country -- look for the "Overview" link in the menu.
- The CIA World FactbookSelect a country from the drop-down menu for information on government, GDP, products, industries, exports and imports.