If anyone is still looking for topic ideas, Opposing Viewpoints has a giant list of potential topics here.
Books
Books give in-depth information on broad topics, and are a great starting point. To use a book as a source, you don't have to read the whole book - you can use just one chapter, or even just a few pages.
Book Search
Book Search searches the listing of books and ebooks available at the Normandale Library.
Note: Book Search results include both online ebooks and paper books available for pickup at the library. Follow these instructions to request a paper book (PDF) be held for pickup.
Encyclopedias
Encyclopedia articles give short overviews of broad topics. They are usually just a few pages and give general information. Think of them as similar to Wikipedia pages.
Gale eBooks

Credo Reference

Current Issues and Hot Topics
These databases collect articles on current issues and hot topics, along with what's going on in the current social landscape. CQ Researcher contains news reporting specifically, and Opposing Viewpoints collects all kinds of sources, including pro/con argumentative essays they call "Viewpoints."CQ Researcher

Opposing Viewpoints (Gale In Context)

Articles from Newspapers, Magazines, and Academic Journals
These databases contain articles from newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. They tend to have a more specific focus than books or encyclopedias, so you can be a little more narrow and focus on a specific aspect of your topic. Newspapers report on specific people, events, and general trends as they play out locally; magazines cover general trends in culture; and academic journals contain articles written by scholars that are in-depth and usually very specific to one aspect of a given topic. Remember to click the full-text box in Academic Search Premier to limit to just articles the database has access to.Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost)

Academic OneFile (Gale)

Academic Journals Only
Academic journal articles are written by scholars and researchers in specific fields to share their findings and research with others in their field. These databases only contain academic journals.JSTOR

Project MUSE

Newspapers Only
Newspaper articles are written by journalists and reporters to inform the general public about current local events, people, and trends.ProQuest News & Newspapers
News articles from U.S. newspapers. Includes the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Star Tribune, and more.
Search (Nearly) Everything
This Combined Search is the search box on the library home page - it searches nearly everything, print books + many (but not all) databases.Combined Search
Combined Search helps find articles, books, and videos from the library collection.
Note: Combined Search results include both online content and paper books available for pickup at the library. Follow these instructions to request a book (PDF) be held for pickup.
Article from Online Database - basic form:
Author. “Article Title.” Journal Title, volume number, issue number, date of publication, page numbers if available. Database Name, DOI or stable URL.
Example:
Alonso, Alvaro, and Julio A. Camargo. “Toxicity of Nitrite to Three Species of Freshwater Invertebrates.” Environmental Toxicology, vol. 21, no. 1, 3 Feb. 2006, pp. 90-94. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20155.

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.
See MLA citation examples for the most common types of sources (8th 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.
In order to access databases and other Library resources from off campus, login with your StarID and password when prompted. Off-campus access to library databases is only available to current Normandale students, staff, and faculty.
Consider the source's –
A = Author
P = Publication
P = Point of View
S = Sources
