STEP ONE: IDENTIFY YOUR TOPIC

A good topic should be:

• Interesting to you.
• Well defined.
• Neither too broad, too narrow, nor too recent.
• Researchable. Choose a topic that has resources available. Make sure there are enough resources to write a good paper.

Suggestions for finding a topic:

Resources for identifying a topic:

CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher is an excellent place to begin research on current topics. This weekly publication covers the most current and controversial issues of the day with complete summaries, insight into all sides of the issues (pros and cons), bibliographies and more.

When to use CQ Researcher:

• When you need in-depth information about a current or controversial topic.
• When you need balanced and objective information about a topic.

Why use CQ Researcher:

• Each issue is written by an experienced journalist and features comments from experts, lawmakers and citizens on all sides of every issue.
• CQ Researcher offers online access to issues dating back to October 25, 1991.
• Pro/Con articles are available as well as charts, graphs, sidebar articles, a chronology, and bibliographies.

How to find it:
CQ Researcher is available through Ingram Library in both online and print formats.

To access the online version of CQ Researcher:

• Go to the UWG Ingram Library web site at http://www.westga.edu/~library/.

• Click on the Databases link from the toolbar near the top of the Library homepage.

  

• From the resulting page, click on [Multi Subject] as shown below.

  

• From the resulting page, click on CQ Researcher. Doing so will take you to the CQ Researcher homepage.

  

Note: To access CQ Researcher off-campus, you will need the GALILEO password. To obtain the password, follow the instructions at http://www.westga.edu/~library/depts/govdoc/password.shtml.

When you first access CQ Researcher, the current report will be displayed, with links to other recent reports on the right. You can click on the links to these reports, or search other reports in a number of ways.

1. Browse by Date
   From the left-hand sidebar, you can Browse by Date, which displays file folders by year. Click on a year to reveal every report published that year.

   

   Then, click on a title to read a Report.

   

2. Browse by Topic
   From the left-hand sidebar, you can also Browse by Topic, which displays file folders that are arranged alphabetically. Click on the letter of the alphabet to reveal the topics in each folder.

   

   Clicking on a letter will reveal a list of topics starting with the letter you chose.

   

3. Quick Search
   Or, you can enter your own search terms -- such as "globalization" -- in the Quick Search box in the upper left of the screen.

   

   Search results will provide you with links of titles in CQ Researcher that match the search term(s) you entered.

   Click on one of the title links to access a report based on your search terms.

   

For help on using the online version of CQ Researcher, click on the FAQ link in the upper right-hand corner of any page in CQ Researcher.

Printing, Saving, and Emailing Options
To print an article in CQ Researcher, select "Print" from the File menu or select the printer icon on the top menu bar.

To email an article, or an entire report, select the Email this Section icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

To use CQ Researcher in print format:

1. Go to the Periodical Index area on the Main Floor of the Library where you will find CQ Researcher at the call number H35 .C67x. Ask the librarian at the Reference Desk if you need help finding it.
2. Check the index (blue pages) for a list of topics. If you have not decided on a topic, you may want to scan the index and pick one from the many possible topics listed. If you have a topic in mind and you can't find it listed in the index, you may have to try searching for it by using alternate words or phrases. For example, if you are looking for "the effects of passive smoking," you will find nothing under "passive smoking" in the index. Another term you could use is "secondhand smoke." If you look for this term you will be referred to the subject heading "environmental tobacco smoke."
3. After you have located a topic in the index, write down the date and page number that appear to the right of the report title. Your topic may be covered in a complete report or less thoroughly in a report about a related topic.
4. Since the index does not cover the most recent reports, browse through these to determine if your topic is also covered there.
5. Go to the appropriate report(s). You may have to look in a bound volume or notebook binder. The date and page numbers are at the bottom of the page.
6. Take notes or make photocopies.
7. Be sure to check the bibliography near the end of the report for a list of other sources. Search the online catalog (GIL) to determine whether these sources are in the Library. If you need assistance, ask the librarian the Reference Desk.

If you need assitance using CQ Researcher in print format, ask at the Reference Desk on the first floor of the Ingram Library.

The following resources in the Ingram Library may also help you find a topic. Ask a Reference Librarian if you have trouble finding them.

Congressional Digest

Each issue of Congressional Digest is devoted to one topic of debate in Congress. Contains a history of recent governmental action on the topic and a general evolution of the issue in the public and private realms. Additionally, each issue includes articles written on the PRO and CON side. These articles are often written by senators, industry leaders and other knowledgeable advocates for their cause.

How to find it: Congressional Digest is located in the Periodicals Section on the first floor of Ingram Library. Periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title.

Taking Sides

Taking Sides is a series of books located in the circulating collection of the Ingram Library. Each volume looks at a broad topic (such as bioethics) and considers 15 to 20 specific issues. Within each specific issue are essays supporting the YES or NO point of view. An introduction and a wrap up to each specific issue is also given.

How to find it: Perform a Keyword (Title/Subject) search in the online Ingram Library catalog (GIL): http://gil.westga.edu

Opposing Viewpoints

Opposing Viewpoints is a series of books located in the circulating collection of the Ingram Library. Each volume considers a general area of contemporary concern. Each area is then broken into about five or six chapters based on a more focused issue.

How to find it: Perform a Keyword (Title/Subject) search in the Ingram Library online catalog (GIL): http://gil.westga.edu