SAMPLE TOPIC:The Problem of Binge Drinking by College Students Cannot Be Solved by Banning Alcohol Use on Campus
Find a Topic
Try one or more of the following:
- CQ Researcher - available off campus with a borrower card number
NOTE: To browse subjects, click on Browse by Topic on the left side of the screen. - Issues and Controversies on File -
(a part of the Facts.com database available on or off-campus)
NOTE: To browse subjects, click on Indexes under the Menu Access on the left side of the screen. - Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center - available on or off campus.
- 10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, and Reports - REF LB1047.3 .L35 @ 3rd Floor Reference Desk
- Hot Topics: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Fifty Major Controversies . . . - REF HN59.2 .S7 @ 3rd Floor Reference Desk
For specialized research topics, consult a librarian for resources that include your subject area.
Choose Key Words
These words are the main concepts of your topic statement. Before you begin looking for information, select up to 3 key words to begin your research. To save time, generate a list of related key words to use for back up information searches.
Example:
PRIMARY SUBJECT: binge drinking OR college students, alcohol
KEY WORDS: binge drinking, college students, ban, alcohol
RELATED WORDS: campus, hazing, fraternities
Search for Books, Government Information, etc.
Library Catalog in library or on the web.
Select Subject Words option from menu
Enter search terms for your topic
Example: college students alcohol
Locate items related to your topic in the catalog
Determine which library owns them
Locate NHC items in the library or request items from other libraries using your library card number
NOTE: Check for additional books on your topic that may be available through netLibrary (requires free registration to view books). Available on or off-campus.
Search for Periodical Articles in Magazines, Newspapers, etc.
ProQuest - available off-campus with a borrower card number.
Enter key words for your topic separated by "and"
Example: college and students and alcohol
Facts.com - available on or off-campus computers..
First select both of the following search screen options:
search only Issues and Controversies
sort results list by relevance ranking
Enter your main topic as a phrase in quotes
Example: "binge drinking"
Or enter search with spaces between key words
Example: college students alcohol
OPTION: You may also click other search check boxes to find news updates from Facts on File and other news sources.
Academic Search Complete via EBSCOhost - available off-campus with a borrower card number.
Enter key words for your topic separated by "and"
Example: laws and computer crime
Houston Chronicle (via ProQuest) - (includes articles from 1986-present) available on or off-campus.
Enter key words for your topic separated by "and"
Example: Harris County and sheriffs
NOTE: Search one of the other periodical databases available via the current topics database list to locate other articles on your topic. Also search for your topic in back issues of selected magazines on the Web or through our Periodical Holdings List.
Cite Sources
Keep a running list of information sources used while you research. Review links on the
Citation Help page to put your sources in the format required by our instructor.
Write Correctly
Locate writing help on the Web at the following sites:
Need Help??
If you need additional help, please feel free to contact a librarian during open hours.