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Franklin D. Schurz Library

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Starting Your Research

You'll need to have a topic in mind when you sit down to begin your research. Talk to your professor for clarification regarding the parameters of your assignment, or for topic suggestions. If the topic is relatively open, browse through some recent newsmagazines such as Time or Newsweek to get some ideas. If you still need some topic ideas, these sources are helpful:

CQ Researcher

Weekly reports on a variety of social issues topics, published by Congressional Quarterly press. Requires a login from off-campus.

 

Best Information on the Net

O'Keefe Library at St. Ambrose University offers selected websites on timely topics.

 

IDEA Debatabase

Produced by the International Debate Education Association, this site lists over 200 controversial topics with pro and con columns listing different viewpoints.

 

Public Agenda Online

This nonpartisan site includes over 20 issues guides that cover a social issue in some detail, including key facts and links to additional resources.

 

Society & Social Issues

The Librarian's Index to the Internet (lii.org) compiles this list of topics with annotated links to relevant websites.

For more assistance, ask a reference librarian.