Reference Librarian
Ruth Whitney
Contact:
Ruth Whitney
Adjunct Faculty, Library Services
rwhitney@oakton.edu
Adjunct Faculty, Library Services
rwhitney@oakton.edu
Subjects: Education
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How Do I Choose a Topic for my Research Paper?
Ideas for Paper Topics
Sometimes you know exactly what you want to research so getting started is easy.
Other times, you just don't know what to choose for a paper topic.
You have options and help!
If you can't decide on a topic, you can start by looking at Opposing Viewpoints or CQ Researcher.
These databases have reports and articles organized by subjects. Use the links below to explore a bit.
- Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new windowDatabase of contemporary social issues with content structured to promote critical-thinking skills. It contains reference book titles, pro and con viewpoint articles, and a variety of periodicals, podcasts, reviewed Web links, images, statistical tables, charts, and graphs.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowEach issue examines a single "hot" topic with comments from experts, lawmakers and citizens on all sides of every issue. Includes charts, graphs and sidebar articles -- plus a pro-con feature, a chronology, lengthy bibliographies and a list of contacts.
Getting Started With Your Research Topic
Got a minute? Take a look at this video. In less than 2 minutes you'll know what to do to begin your research.
Background Information?
To find short essays on your topic for background, try the Oakton Library database called Credo Reference.
- Credo Reference - All Subjects Search This link opens in a new windowContains dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, quotations and atlases, plus a wide range of subject-specific titles.