This document provides tips for choosing and researching a topic for a paper. It recommends looking at databases of current topics if a hot topic is needed. It also suggests searching specialized encyclopedias, newspapers, and Google based on a general subject area or psychology paper. The document advises considering available resources and narrowing or broadening a topic as needed. It also offers tips for finding good search terms, such as reviewing subject headings and database thesauri.

1. Tips for choosing and researching a topic

2. Topic Tips: 1. Ideas for a topic If you don’t have a topic idea… … and you need a current / hot topic Look at “hot topic” databases

5. Topic Tips: 1. Ideas for a topic If you don’t have a topic idea… … and you need a current / hot topic Look at “hot topic” databases CQ Researcher – browse by date for current topics

7. Topic Tips: 1. Ideas for a topic If you don’t have a topic idea… … and you need a current / hot topic Look at “hot topic” databases CQ Researcher – browse by date for current topics Browse SCC’s current newspapers and magazines Look at web pages for newspapers such as Arizona Republic and New York Times or news sources such as CNN, MSNBC … and you have been assigned a general subject area Try a Google search such as “good topic for a psychology paper” or “current issues in education” Look at a specialized encyclopedia for topics covered … you can use 10,000 Ideas or similar books (see a librarian)

9. Topic Tips: 2. “Manageable” topics Consider what types of resources you need for your paper and how many of each type Books? Search the library catalog Browse the reference collection Periodicals? Search library databases Web sites? Search the web and evaluate some sites Do you need to broaden or narrow your topic? If possible, commit to a topic only after you’ve made sure you can find enough good sources

10. Topic Tips: 3. Good search terms Finding “good” keywords and terms When choosing your topic, pay attention to significant words that are used often in titles and abstracts (summaries) or as headings in specialized encyclopedias Use Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) http://authorities.loc.gov/ Primarily useful for finding books Printed volumes at Info Desk or online at http://authorities.loc.gov

15. Topic Tips: 3. Good search terms Finding “good” keywords and terms When choosing your topic, pay attention to significant words that are used often in titles and abstracts (summaries) or as headings in specialized encyclopedias Use Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) Primarily useful for finding books Printed volumes at Info Desk or online at http://authorities.loc.gov Search database subject (thesaurus) list

19. Topic Tips: 3. Good search terms Finding “good” keywords and terms When choosing your topic, pay attention to significant words that are used often in titles and abstracts (summaries) or as headings in specialized encyclopedias Use Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) Primarily useful for finding books Printed volumes at Info Desk or online at http://authorities.loc.gov Search database subject (thesaurus) list Find one good article in a database and look at assigned subject headings Consult a librarian