How Do I … Start My Research?

EXPLORE for Ideas

Developing a topic for research can be challenging. If you are having trouble coming up with a topic for your project, here are some resources you can use to help identify a topic for research.

Your interests - If possible, consider a topic that is personally engaging. Your research will be much more enjoyable if you focus on a topic that is of interest to you or that you are curious about

Current Periodicals (magazines, newspapers, journals) – current newspapers and magazines are a great place to browse for topics. Visit the Current Periodicals Center to browse the current paper issues of magazines, journals and newspapers. The library subscribes to hundreds of magazines and newspapers in online form as well. Visit this site to see a list of resources you can use to locate newspaper articles: http://www.library.nd.edu/research_tools/newspapers_and_news_sources. Also, the database Academic Search Premier provides access to many popular magazine articles. Click here to see a graphic example of how to search for articles using this resource. Please Ask a Librarian if you have any questions about using these sources.

Recommended Reference Sources - Browse these reference sources (located on the main floor of Hesburgh Library) for more ideas on topics to research.

10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, Reports and Speeches
This extensive list of research topics covers 10,000 ideas in over 130 different subject areas. It is available at the Hesburgh Library Reference Desk under this call number: Closed Reference LB 1047.3.L35 1998. Ask the Reference Desk Librarian to help you find this particular resource.

CQ Researcher
Provides weekly briefings on social, political, economic, international and scientific trends. Each in-depth report focuses on a single issue in the news with a review of the controversies driving the debate, historical background, chronology, annotated references and much more. The print version is available in the Hesburgh Library Reference Collection at REF JA 37.ED48

Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica Online includes the complete encyclopedia, as well as Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus, Britannica Student Encyclopedia and the Britannica Book of the Year. The print edition of the encyclopedia is available in the Hesburgh Library Reference Collection at REF AE.E363 2002.