If you need help choosing a topic for your research assignment, the library has many resources to help get you started. When your instructor requires you to choose a topic and develop it on your own, it is a good idea to choose a topic that interests you. It’s like the old saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Working with a topic that you find interesting will make the process more exciting.
You can use the following resources to help you choose a topic related to current issues and news events.
- Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center - Examines contemporary issues from the pro and con. Features viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazine, academic journal, and newspaper articles, primary source documents, statistics, images and podcasts, and links to Websites.
- TOPICsearch – allows researchers to explore social, political & economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics. It contains newspapers, periodicals, biographies, public opinion polls, government information and more.
- CQ Researcher - Provides in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.
- Consumer Health Complete - If you want to explore a health related topic, the Consumer Health Complete is a great place to start. Comprehensive resource for consumer-oriented health content. Designed to support patients’ information needs and foster an overall understanding of health-related topics.
- Victoria Advocate/Newsbank Database - Although this database is used for searching the Victoria Advocate, the creator has provided a handy “HOT TOPIC” and “SPECIAL REPORTS” feature on the left side of the home page. The hot topics links will send you a brief paragraph about the topic and give you some keywords for searching the Advocate database (or any other). The special reports links will send you to articles, websites, and other related information.
- The Idea Generator – Old Dominion University Libraries - The librarians at Old Dominion have created this topic generator. Select a broad topic from the nine categories on the main page. The link will take you to a large list of current topics under the category you selected. Then come back to the VC/UHV Library web page, select an appropriate database and start searching.
If you need any assistance using the resources above or you can’t find what you are looking for, the Reference Librarians are here to help. You can stop by the library or use our online chat service during our open hours, call us at 361-570-4166 or toll-free at 800-687-5006, email us at askalibrarian@uhv.edu or askalibrarian@victoriacollege.edu. Our priority at the library is helping you become a successful student.
