Here are some starting points to introduce you to some specific current topics, but don't feel limited to just these. Our current issue databases (Opposing Viewpoints, CQ Researcher, and Issues & Controversies) contain lots of info, lots of great resources, and even some informative browsing interfaces to help you think of a topic when you're undecided.
These databases focus on current and controversial issues and provide introductions to the topics and collect a variety of related sources to further your research. Great starting points!
Provides topic overviews as well as collects a variety of sources, including statistics, reference materials, journal articles, news articles, images, and audio broadcasts.
Full-text, balanced, comprehensive journalistic reports and analysis of current and controversial issues of the day.
Full-text articles from different points of view on important issues in today's news, plus statistics, images, related court cases, and more.
Don't take ideas and terms for granted -- take a moment to do some simple, one-word searches in a resource like Credo Reference to read some background information. You never know what ideas you'll generate.
Useful when you're starting out on a research project. Do simple searches to find topic introductions in a variety of subjects. The mind map tool will help you discover related ideas and terms.
Notice: Credo is leaving TexShare: access will end after Dec. 31, 2022.
This guide presents a variety of information sources, both openly accessible from the web (and selected for authority and credibility) as well as resources limited to Lone Star College users. All are meant as recommendations to start your research but not the only possible sources available, of course.
Find and access the library's online resources through the Research Databases page. Off-campus access requires the 14-digit library barcode from the back of your student ID. (Don't have it yet? Request a barcode number online.)
As a freely accessible web search engine, Google Scholar is an additional resource you can dig in for journal articles and other materials. A search box to use Google Scholar has been provided below, as well as a link to our Google Scholar guide, which will give you direction on gaining access to research articles from Lone Star College Library.
Caution: Google Scholar is a great tool, in addition to the databases, but not instead of them. Scholarly articles tend to be behind paywalls, and even Google can't give you access. As well, there are predatory journals out there (with low publication standards) that Google doesn't disregard from its results.