Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Define the purpose of research
Identify steps to develop a research focus
Research comes in many forms and we often do it without even realizing it: looking for a new restaurant to try out, where to stay while on vacation, what car to buy, or finding a new doctor. These are all forms of research with a specific purpose. Academic research also has a specific purpose—to gather and synthesize information about a specific topic and present it in a cohesive and structured manner.
Click each item's “Access” button to open and view it in a new window. If you are off-campus, you will be taken to the CCAC login page to sign in.
Tutorials will have navigation links across the top that you will use to advance through the pages. They
will look similar to this:
After completing the tutorial, close the browser tab or window to return back to this page.
Check these research databases to get started & find something interesting!
CQ Researcher provides topical articles on social issues; articles include an overview, background information, the current situation concerning the issue, an outlook on possible developments, a special focus, chronology of related events, and pro and con section. Show me how
Issues & Controversies explores and analyzes hundreds of hot topics in politics, business, government, crime, law, energy, education, health, family, science, foreign policy, race, rights, society, and culture.
Opposing Viewpoints includes pro/con viewpoints, reference articles, interactive maps, infographics, and thousands of articles on hundreds of subjects. Show me how
College In Context provides information on a wide array of subjects; includes updated reference content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted
