ENGL 101 English Composition 1 (Theme: Conspiracies & Misinformation)

ONLINE 101 ONLY: Misinformation & Conspiracy Theories

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. Opposing Viewpoints is limited in content and focuses largely on the Viewpoint essays.

How to Explore Gale in Context Databases

Follow these steps:

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

Homepage - Browse for Ideas - gale in context databases

  1. 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)

Browse 62 topics under Global Change

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

CQ Explore Reports and Issues

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 Conspiracy Theories, Gale eBooks helps me get a sense of the many topics I could research.

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

Use Gale eBooks Reference to Explore Topic Ideas: 

Option 1: Browse specific encyclopedia titles on conspiracy theories and misinformation.
Option 2: Type in a Starting Idea and Explore Ways to Narrow and Focus that Idea
Step 1:

Type in a starting idea. Below I typed in "Conspiracy Theories"

conspiracy theories

Step 2: 

Scroll through the list of article titles to gather ideas about conspiracy theories you could research.

Conspiracy Theory Results

Step 3:

Use the Subject Filter to Find Other Ideas

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 Military and Intelligence Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories. Possible subtopics / areas to explore include the intelligence service, Cold War myths, and American satellites.

Military and Intelligence Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories

Explore Current News & Culture Media for Ideas

A Few Online Starting Places: 

Explore Library News Databases:

In Online Soures

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.

viewpoints

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

Pro Con section in CQ Researcher

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

At Document Type choose editorials, opinion, commentary, etc

Topic Exploration is Research