Shelton State Community College

Session outline:

Readings:

Discussion:

Where can I find topic ideas in the library?

What are selection criteria for a good topic?

In locating articles about the topic, consider the four steps to effective research (online reading above). How might the 4 Steps complement the 4 Steps outlined in John Deosdade's "The Library Search Strategy" above.

How do I formulate a search strategy or plan? Should I use the H I R E formula?  How can the H I R E formula complement the research steps suggested above? Sample search topics, sample search plans.

Virtual Presentation Assistant.
(http://www.ukans.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vpa/vpa.htm)
(Source: Kansas University)

Read and discuss 'Selecting Your Topic' in the Virtual Presentation Assistant. Notice the section near the bottom of the screen: "Ask yourself the following questions."

Read and discuss 'Researching Your Topic.'  What are some places outside the Shelton State Library that may help you research your topic?  (You may not want to limit your research to this library.)

IN-CLASS EXERCISE:

Divide into groups of 3 or 4 persons. Each group should examine a volume or binder of 'CQ Researcher' and select an interesting persuasive essay topic. Look in individual reports for the 'At Issue' page. What is the debate question? Would this topic be a good one for research? Devise a search plan. Look at the Bibliography and 'Next Step' pages near the end of the report. Where would you look for this or other information in the library? Each group shares its topic, search plan, and insights with the class.

Simulation:

You read in newspapers about the historic warship LST 325 that made a trans-Atlantic journey from Greece, staffed by a 29-member crew of retired sailors, and landed at Mobile on Wednesday, January 10, 2001.  You would like to read more about these types of ships and the roles they played in World War II.  This would make a fascinating term paper, you believe.  Where might you find information for this term paper?  What subject headings would you use?  What formats might house information?  Did you mention microforms?

Alternative In-Class Exercise:

Worksheet to Help Generate Research Paper Topics.
(http://www.delta.edu/library/exploring_topics.html)
(Source:  Delta College, University Center, MI)

WHERE TO LOCATE TOPIC IDEAS:

Some possible topics and research questions can be found in the weekly reports of CQ Researcher. (print edition located at Ref H35 .E362 and also available online). Other interesting research questions may be found in any of the Opposing Viewpoints volumes (use Title Keyword Search in Horizon for words 'opposing viewpoints). Another excellent resource for topic ideas is Editorials On File located on the Reference Shelves at Ref D 839 .E3.

Additional speech or essay ideas are available online from:

Research Paper Topic Internet Sites.

(http://www.hc.cc.tx.us/library/topics.htm)

(Source: Howard College Libraries)

Best Information on the Net: Hot Paper Topics.
(http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Hot/hotindex.htm)
(Source:  O'Keefe Library, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa)

ERIC:  Hot Topics

(http://www.eric.uoregon.edu/hot_topics/index.html)

(Source:  University of Oregon)

Owens Library Hot Paper Topics.
(http://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/courses/english2/termindex.htm)
(Source:  Northwest State University)

 Paper Topics.  Scroll down page to 'Find Topics.'
(http://www.mainland.cc.tx.us/library/Help/Current.htm)
(Source:  College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX)

General Paper Topics

(http://www.isu.edu/library/research/topics.htm)

(Source:  Idaho State University)

Bad Subjects: Political Education for Everyday Life

(http://eserver.org/bs/issues/)

(Source:  University of California)

Idea Generator.
(http://www.lib.odu.edu/research/idea/ideagenerator.shtml)
(Source:  Old Dominion University)

Paper Topic: Paper Topics of the Month

(http://library.howardcc.edu/PaperTopics/PaperTopics.htm)

(Source:  Howard Community College)

Social Contract.
(http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/1558/index.html)

Alcohol: Fifty Possible Research Paper Topics.
(http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/ggiles/alc/fifty.html)

Dr. Karen Borglum's Professor's Picks.
(http://www.valencia.cc.fl.us/lrcwest/borglumk.html)
(Source: Valencia Community College)

Reno High LD Page.
(http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Theater/2684/)
(Source: Reno High School, Reno, Nevada)

Hot Religious Topics.
(http://www.religioustolerance.org/conflict.htm)
(Source: Religious Tolerance.org)

Briefing Papers on Current Topics.  Brief papers for facts, statistics.
(http://www0.un.org/cyberschoolbus/briefing/topics/)
(Source: United Nations)

Research Paper Topic Internet Sites.
(http://www.hc.cc.tx.us/library/topics.htm)
(Source:  Howard College Libraries)

Sample Research Paper Topics.
(http://karn.ohiolink.edu/~sg-ysu/topex.html)
(Source:  OhioLink)

Rice Library Research Guides.
(http://www.usi.edu/library/issues.htm)
(Source: University of Southern Indiana)

Hot Topics List.
(http://infodome.sdsu.edu/research/guides/hot/list.shtml)
(Source: San Diego State University)

Hot Topics Supersites.
(http://infodome.sdsu.edu/research/guides/hot/supersites.shtml)
(Source: San Diego State University)

Research Paper Topics List.
(http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/lrc/topics.htm)
(Source:  Richland College)

UCL Pathfinders.
(http://ucl.broward.edu/pathtopics.htm)
(Source: University/College Libraries, Broward Community College, FL)

Choosing a Topic. Links to many research paper topic lists.
(http://valencia.cc.fl.us/lrcwest/topic.html)
(Valencia Community College, Orlando, Florida)

Tips for Better Speeches.
(http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/2325/tips.html)
(Source: Boston Toastmasters Club)
 
 
 

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