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ENGL 1301: Composition & Rhetoric I (Harwell): Finding Information on Current Issues

ENGL 1301 | Prof. A. Harwell (Fall 2023)

Starting Points

So, you're looking in to a current (maybe controversial) topic!

This guide has some starting points to help introduce you to some specific timely topics, but don't feel limited to just these. Our current issue databases (Opposing Viewpoints, CQ Researcher, and Issues & Controversies) contain lots of info, lots of great resources, and even some nice browsing interfaces to help you think of a topic when you're totally undecided.

Current Issue Collections:

These databases focus on current and controversial issues and provide introductions to the topics and collect a variety of related sources to further your research. Great starting points!

What is...? Look it up!

Don't take ideas and terms for granted -- take a moment to do some simple, one-word searches in a resource like Credo Reference to read some background information. You never know what ideas you'll generate.

E-Books

Google Scholar Search

collage of database logosThis guide presents a variety of information sources, both openly accessible from the web (and selected for authority and credibility) as well as resources limited to Lone Star College users. All are meant as recommendations to start your research but not the only possible sources available, of course.

Find and access the library's online resources through the Research Databases page. Off-campus access requires the 14-digit library barcode from the back of your student ID. (Don't have it yet? Request a barcode number online.)

As a freely accessible web search engine, Google Scholar is an additional resource you can dig in for journal articles and other materials. A search box to use Google Scholar has been provided below, as well as a link to our Google Scholar guide, which will give you direction on gaining access to research articles from Lone Star College Library.

Caution: Google Scholar is a great tool, but that's in addition to the databases, not instead of. Scholarly articles tend to be behind paywalls, and even Google can't give you access. As well, there are predatory journals out there (with low publication standards) that Google doesn't disregard from its results.