Green River LibGuides: ENGL 101 English Composition 1: Research Step 1: Explore Topic Ideas

Getting Started on a Research Project

This page offers some starting places for generating research topic ideas.

Please keep in mind that research is a process. Exploring ideas is part of that process and can help you take a broad initial interest and hone it into a researchable topic.

Also keep in mind that the topic you ultimately select to research needs to meet your assignment!

Explore Topic Ideas

Find Ideas in Current Issues Databases

Browse for Topic Ideas in Holman Library's current issues databases.

Return to these databases to gather background information and to get a sense of the range of positions taken on an issue.

Note: Be sure to look for sources in other databases as well. Content in Opposing Viewpoints is largely editorial.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Full-text viewpoint essays, topic overviews, journal articles, news, and statistics. A great place to find evidence to support argumentative essays.
Global Issues in Context (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Full-text articles featuring global viewpoints on international issues, country reports, primary source documents, statistics, videos, and more
Environmental Studies in Context - GREENR (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Focuses on the physical, social, and economic aspects of environmental issues covering energy systems, health care, agriculture, climate change, population, and economic development.
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Browse by topic or keyword to find information covering a broad range of important issues in health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy. Weekly reports dating back to 1923.

How to Explore Gale in Context Databases

Step 1:

Look over broad topic areas on the homepage. This example illustrates the homepage for enviromental issues in context. (click on image to enlarge)

Step 2:

Click on a category that interests you - or go right to a topic! The image below show the list of 62 topics under Global Change. (Click on image to enlarge)

How to Explore Ideas in CQ Researcher

Step 1: Explore by Reports, Topics, or Hot Topics.

Hot Topics is a list of current short reports
Reports - select Issue Tracker for a list of Reports by Issue
Topics - select a broad area of interest and then filter down to topics of interest

click on image to enlarge

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Search for authoritative information in subject encyclopedias selected for courses and programs at Green River College

Explore Topic Ideas in a Reference Collection

Reference, or Subject Encyclopedias, are a good place to:

browse for and explore topic ideas
find a narrower focus for a broad topic
- For example, if I start out with an interest in Global Warming,

Once you start to learn about your topic, you will use reference sources to get informed about the basic.

I: Use Gale eBooks Reference to Explore Topic Ideas:

GVRL: Browse by Subject Area

Step 1:

Click on an area of interest (click on image to enlarge)

Step 2:

Click on a title that interests you and browse the index for ideas.

The image below is of a search of the Social Science Collection. I clicked on the title Inequality in America: Causes and Consequences.

(click on image to enlarge)

II: Use Gale eBooks/ GVRL to narrow a broad starting idea

Step 1: Type in your Starting Idea

(for example, Global Warming)

Step 2:

Scroll through the list of article titles to gather ideas about global warming you could research.

Step 3:

Click on the filter for Subjects for a list of Subtopics

Global Warming Subject Filter

Step 4:

Skim through a relevant-looking article for ideas on how to narrow and focus. The excerpt below is from the start of an article on Renewable Energy. Possible subtopics include solar or wind energy and coal production.

Explore Current News & Culture Media for Ideas

In library news databases:

Newspapers -- ProQuest Newspapers This link opens in a new window
National and Washington newspapers. To see included titles, enter the database, click on the Databases Selected; link at the top left, scroll down to ProQuest Newspapers and click on View Titles.
Newspapers -- Newspaper Source (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Includes selected national, international and regional newspaper articles, as well as television and news radio transcripts.
Newspapers -- News OneFile (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Full-text U.S. regional, national, and local newspapers as well as leading titles from around the world. Includes TV and radio broadcasts, transcripts and images.
Ethnic NewsWatch (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
For viewpoints not covered by the mainstream press, a bilingual (English and Spanish) database of ethnic, minority and native newspapers, magazines and journals.
Alt-Press Watch (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
A full text database of newspapers, magazines and journals from alternative and independent presses. "Challenge mainstream media coverage" for new perspectives on your topics.

In Online Soures

The Seattle Times
Washington state's largest circulating newspaper. Print editions available in Holman Library
The News Tribune
Tacoma and regional newspaper, with local and national news section.
The New York Times (website)
Check out the day's news and issues in the online NY Times. Free online access is limited, Full text is available in the library's ProQuest database.
TED Talks
Talks that cover the gamut of current issues. Explore talks by Topic, including Science, Technology, and Business - Or search for a TED Taslk on a specific subject. Be sure to asses: Is the speaker an expert on this topic?
The Freedom Forum: Today's Front Pages
The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) foundation that fosters First Amendment freedoms for all.
National Public Radio (NPR)
Independent and topical radio news. Be sure to check the long list of programs distributed through NPR.
Science Friday
A science radio program/website from National Public Radio (with links to reliable source material).
Marketplace Radio
PRX
Podcast and Broadcast Multimedia

Explore the Debate on Current Issues

Current Issues Databases

Look for Ideas & Arguments in Holman Library Current Issues Databases and in the News.

Viewpoints in Gale In Context Databases

In Gale In Context Databases (Opposing Viewpoints, Global Viewpoints, and Environmental Issues) explore VIEWPOINT essays for topic ideas from a range of perspectives.

The image below indicates there are 17 Featured Viewpoints and 159 Viewpoints in total on Universal Health Care.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Pro/ Con in CQ Researcher

In CQ Research look for the Pro/ Con section for a mini debate on an issue central to that report.

click on image to enlarge

Newspaper Editorials & Opinions

Explore editorials, opinion, and commentary in the news. To find these sources, at Document Type, select Editorial, Opinion, Commentary.

click on image to enlarge

ENGL 101 English Composition 1

Getting Started on a Research Project

Explore Topic Ideas

Find Ideas in Current Issues Databases

How to Explore Gale in Context Databases

Step 1:

Step 2:

How to Explore Ideas in CQ Researcher

Explore Topic Ideas in a Reference Collection

I: Use Gale eBooks Reference to Explore Topic Ideas:

Step 1:

Step 2:

II: Use Gale eBooks/ GVRL to narrow a broad starting idea

Step 1: Type in your Starting Idea

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Explore Current News & Culture Media for Ideas

In library news databases:

In Online Soures

Explore the Debate on Current Issues

Current Issues Databases

Viewpoints in Gale In Context Databases

Pro/ Con in CQ Researcher

Newspaper Editorials & Opinions

Topic Exploration is Research