This guide should serve as a starting point for the research you do for your composition classes. Use the tabs at the top of the guide to get started finding background information, books, and articles.
If you get stuck, stop by the reference desk, call me, e-mail me, or IM a librarian. We’re here to help you find any materials that you need to succeed with your papers and projects.
Using Library Resources from Off Campus
Library electronic resources are accessible from off-campus. You will need to login using your Career Account username and password. This is the same credentials to access MyPUC or campus workstations.
If you have verified that your username and password are correct and still having problems logging in, contact IS Customer Service Center in Powers 216 at 219-989-2888 or visit http://webs.purduecal.edu/infosvcs/customer-service-center for help.
Select a Research Topic
- Choose a topic that interests you
- Read through background information
- Write out your topic as a statement and select the main concepts
- Start making a list of words to describe your topic
Having trouble deciding what to write about? Try looking at the links below to get some ideas:
CQ Researcher - provides news and analysis of American government, politics, history, public policy, current affairs, and controversial topics. Each report contains a synopsis and discussion of the issue, a pro/con section and bibliography
Credo Reference - provides topic pages by subject area and a A-Z list
Times Topics - links to a collection of New York Times articles in full text
Ebsco Topic Search - full text for articles on current events, social, political and economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics
Hot Topics - topics for research papers and speeches provided by Northwest Missouri State University