<h2>Understanding the Research Assignment</h2>
<p>Consider the following steps before you begin your
research:</p>
<ul>
<li>Has a topic already been assigned or have you selected a
topic?</li>
<li>What do you already know about the subject?</li>
<li>How much information do you need? Is your assignment a
five minute speech or a ten page paper?</li>
<li>What kind of information do you need? Scholarly research
or general interest? Does your instructor want you to use
print resources, online resources or both?</li>
</ul>
If your instructor hasn't already assigned a research topic,
you may want to use the following resources to help your
search. Remember, choose a topic that interests you!
<p><strong>Databases:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a
href="http://proxy.library.siue.edu:2048/login?url=http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/"
target="_blank">CQ Researcher</a> -- This database covers
current hot social and political issues such as the economy,
education, environment, health, international affairs,
science and technology.</li>
<li><a
href="http://proxy.library.siue.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/login?COPT=REJTPUc1KzM0YTMrMjFkKzM0YTIrM2U3KzI1Yis0M2MrNDMxKzNlYys3NzIrM2YxKzI0MCZTTUQ9NCZUUk09MSZTUEw9MSZTRkQ9MSZJTlQ9MCZWRVI9Mg==&clientId=816"
target="_blank">Newstand</a> -- This database covers
more than 450 U.S. and international newspapers. Browsing or
searching this database may help you select a research
topic.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Books:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a
href="https://i-share.carli.illinois.edu/sie/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=Opposing+Viewpoints&SL=None&Search_Code=TALL&CNT=10&HIST=1"
target="_blank">Opposing Viewpoints</a> -- A popular series
that explores controversial subjects, including health care
and foreign policy.</li>
<li><a
href="https://i-share.carli.illinois.edu/sie/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=At+Issue&SL=None&Search_Code=TALL&CNT=10&HIST=1"
target="_blank">At Issue</a> -- Another resource that
discusses hot topics such as religion, politics and capital
punishment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Periodicals:</strong></p>
<p>If your still not sure what research topic you would like to
focus on, visit the Lovejoy Library's periodicals collection on
the <a
href="http://www.siue.edu/lovejoylibrary/about/pdf/SecondFloor.pdf"
target="_blank">2nd floor</a>. Here you can flip through
hundreds of scholarly journals and popular periodicals,
including <em>Law and Society Review</em>, <em>New Yorker</em>,
<em>Politics and Society</em> and the <em>International Journal
on World Peace</em>.</p>
<p>This is only a suggested list of possible resources that may
help you select a research topic. If you need further
assistance, <a
href="http://www.siue.edu/lovejoylibrary/services/ask.shtml"
target="_blank">ask a librarian</a>!</p>