Research Guide for

ENGC 1101 College Writing (Maltman)

Main

Choose Your Topic

There are many ways to select a paper topic. The databases below all offer sources on topics from current issues, trends, and hot topics. You can see a list of all the topics they cover in their "Browse" sections. Look through their list of topics to help get ideas for topics you may be interested in.

Opposing Viewpoints (Gale In Context)
Opposing Viewpoints in ContextTopic overviews, opinion articles, and additional sources on social, economic, and political issues.

CQ Researcher
Reports on controversial issues of national importance (health care, public safety, education, environment, etc.). Each report is on a single topic. Helpful as a topic overview. 

Points of View Reference Source
Topic overviews, opinion articles, and additional sources on social, economic, and political issues.



Once you select a topic, you will probably need to narrow your focus.  A specific topic is easier to research because you won't have to plow through huge piles of general information.  After you narrow your topic, you will need to generate keywords, which are the words and phrases you will use to search for information on your topic.  The video below offers guidance on how to narrow your topic and select keywords.

 

 

Find Books

Find Articles

Academic Search Complete (EBSCOhost)
Articles in all subjects from scholarly journals, magazines, and newspapers. An all-purpose database and often a good place to start.

Academic OneFile (Gale)
Academic OneFile (Gale)Articles in all subjects from scholarly journals, magazines, and newspapers. An all-purpose database.


JSTOR
Scholarly articles, ebooks, and primary sources in the social sciences, humanities, earth and biological sciences, and more. Includes images from libraries, museums, and archives.

Combined Search & Databases List

Ask a Librarian

Call, e-mail, or chat with a librarian for more research assistance. We're happy to help!

  (952) 358-8290

 Email


Luke MosherReference and Instruction Librarianluke.mosher@normandale.edu
 

Note: Your chat question may be directed to a librarian from another college when Normandale librarians are unavailable.

Evaluate Source Credibility

Evaluate each source you use with CAPPS!
Consider the source's –
C = Currency
A = Author
P = Publication
P = Point of View
S = Sources

 
More info about CAPPS pdf
 

Cite your Sources (MLA)

MLA Quick Guide (PDF)
See MLA citation examples for the most common types of sources (9th edition).

MLA Formatting and Style Guide (OWL at Purdue)
This website offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page. Uses MLA 9th edition.
 

Access Our Databases from Anywhere

Online Library Access Info
To access databases and other Library resources, login with your StarID and password when prompted.  Access is only available to current Normandale students and employees.