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Library 101 - Your Guide to Library Resources

Get Started - Topic Selection

Activity 1: Select a Topic

Choose a Research Paper Topic

Browse for Ideas

• 10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, Reports & Speeches
  
  JPL Reference Desk, LB1047.3 .L35 (1604 Campus)
  Downtown Library, Reference LB1047.3 .L35
  


• CQ Researcher (UTSA subscription)
  


• ProQuest Research Library
Click the Tab "Topics," and enter your term(s) in the "Topic Guide" box


• Documents in the News: Current Events Research
  Free website: http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/docnews.html
  

Steps in the Research Process

1. Choose and develop your topic.  Pose a question from your topic: "What are the health effects of eating disorders among our nation's teenage population?"
2. Use reference tools (e.g., specialized encyclopedias and subject dictionaries). These will help to get an overall, general picture on your subject, and also help to locate more specific resources on your particular topic.
3. Determine type of information needed. (books, journals, periodicals).
4. Create a search strategy for your topic. Dissect your topic concept into various keywords, including synonyms, related, broader and narrower terms for your topic, and then use different combination of these terms to search databases relevant to your subject.
5. Retrieve the materials and evaluate sources.
6. Quote and cite. Record what you find and where you found it, giving credit where credit is due!

Further suggestions for selecting a research paper topic...

• Consult with your class instructor for topic ideas.
• Browse your favorite magazines. Do they cover topics that you would like to explore further?
• Do a quick and dirty search with broad-based databases such as ProQuest Research and Academic Search Complete to find some keywords relevant to your topic, and then use these keywords to do a modified search.
• Discuss your ideas with one of the UTSA Reference Librarians. One-on-one consultations can be arranged. Ask at the Reference Desk for details.