Topic & Background Information
	What is scholarly research?
	Books
	Newspapers & Magazines
	Journal Articles
	Statistics
	Citing Your Sources

Topic & Background Information

To focus your topic, you'll need some background information. Ask yourself-- who, what, where, when, why/how? Identify opposing viewpoints (pros and cons) of your topic.

          CQ Researcher

          Public Agenda Issue Guides

          USA.gov Topics

          Applied Ethics

          Opposing Viewpoints (need San Diego County Library card)

Books

Library Catalog --for books (print and electronic), media (DVDs, VHS, CDs), and periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers) in our library.

         Map to find materials in Kellogg Library.

The Circuit (UCSD, SDSU, USD, SDCL) --for books we don't have, delivered to our check out desk in 1-2 days.

Newspapers and Magazines

Research databases search thousands of scholarly and non-scholarly articles.

The following have mostly non-scholarly popular press, typically newspapers and magazines.
     
          ProQuest Newspapers

          Lexis Nexis Academic 

          Factiva 

          Ethnic NewsWatch for alternative, bilingual, and small press publications

Journal Articles

The following research databases have mostly scholarly journal articles:

          Academic Search Premier

          Sociological Abstracts

          JSTOR

          PsycINFO

          ERIC
 

NOTE: Depending on your topic, other databases might be more relevant.
You can choose a database by subject.

See an article you want in one of these databases?

1. Look for "Full Text" in PDF, HTML, Linked or  
2. Fill out an Interlibrary Loan article request form. You'll get it within 5-10 days for FREE.
3. Any time you need help, ask a librarian.

Statistics

The following have collections of statistics:

          LexisNexis Statistical

          Statistical Abstract

          FedStats

          Polling the Nation

Citing Your Sources

You'll need to cite quotations and ideas from the sources you've found:

APA: Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. Quick summary of bibliography Citing in your paper Library Copies APA formatted sample paper KnightCite: Free citation formatting-- review the results for accuracy.

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