Guides @ UF: First-Year Writing (ENC 1101 & 1102): Getting Started

Learn how to connect to resources off-campus.

The following databases are a great place to explore issues.

Look for these links at the top of each database:

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window CQ Researcher provides in-depth reports on important issues. Full-length articles include an overview, background, chronology, and resources for additional research.
Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window This database features viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazine, academic journal, and newspaper articles, primary source documents, statistics, images and podcasts, and links to websites.
Access World News This link opens in a new window Over 10,000 full-text news sources from around the world. This database has a find a topic feature.

A research question is the question that drives your research. Read more information on how to write a research question.

Need help brainstorming? Try mapping your research ideas!

Try these reference collections to find background information on your topic:

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window Online reference collection.
SAGE Knowledge This link opens in a new window Search eReference titles within the social sciences.

Make a list of search terms by identifying the main concepts of your topic (keywords) and considering related terms.

Example:

Topic: How did Black Lives Matter utilize the hashtag to mobilize their social justice movement?
Keywords: Black Lives Matter, hashtag, social justice movement
Related terms: BLM, Twitter, social media, activism, protests, racial justice

Try this database to identify related search terms:

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Online reference collection. Includes tools to help identify subject terms.

Use the Subject Guide Search to discover related subject terms.

The Topic Finder is a visual way to search that connects related concepts.