Use the library's Subject Research Guides to find an A-Z list of current and popular research topics. The guide for each topic includes links to recommended databases and background information sources, among other things.
CQ Researcher can be a good starting point for exploring topics. Enter your topic idea into the search box.
News Sources
Databases & Background Information
Professional Sources
The library subscribes to the online editions of hundreds of encyclopedias. These provide you articles with reliable background information about your topic, written by experts, and include lists of additional resources. A class appropriate alternative to Wikipedia!
An editorial is a written piece most often found in newspapers and magazines that typically addresses the opinion or viewpoint of senior editorial staff on a current or controversial issue.
Editorials can provide you with specific opinions or viewpoints on a given issue. As a rule, editorials focus on current, controversial topics.
Newspaper Databases often allow you to limit your results by "Editorials" as the document type.
Academic Search Ultimate allows you to limit results. In the left-hand side of the results list, select “Editorials” as the document type. To view individual editorials, click the HTML or PDF Full Text, or Discover links.
Nexis Uni offers a "News" section on the left-hand side of the page.
Undergraduate Library has a great selection of general magazines where you can find editorials. Titles are shelved alphabetically in the periodicals section.
Keep in mind the dates when your topic was of particular interest.
You are most likely to get the best results in your search for topics of national, rather than local or regional, interest.
Avoid using terms "pro" and "con" in your search, unless the issue frequently uses pro- or con- to identify supporters of the position (i.e. pro-life, pro-choice).
Read the abstracts of the editorials, when available, as these will provide you with a brief summary of the writer's viewpoint.
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| Popular/Special Interest Magazines |
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| Scholarly & Academic Journals |
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| Websites |
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