Not sure what to research? Do some topic browsing in databases designed to give you a broad overview, like encyclopedias, reference books, or those covering current issues and topics. Try doing a simple keyword search on something you are interested in, like global warming, to see what's there. Starting wide, you can find avenues and directions to narrow your topic down based on what you find.
Browse the news for research topic ideas. What is being published in the news on field or topic area? Use that to help refine and narrow your topic, and to get keywords to put into your database searches. For example, if you are interested in writing about issues affecting college students, you can look at headlines in the education section of The New York Times to review relevant issues.
We have so many resources and tools available. Let us show you how to use them!
Research librarians can help you to:
At any point during the research process, the library and librarians are here to help.
Chat with us Monday through Thursday, from 9am to 8pm. Librarians are available from 9am to 5pm on Fridays.
Or fill out our email contact form, and we'll get back to you.
You can also make an appointment so we can sit down with you and give you in-depth help in-person or online.