You might want to do some background research in encyclopedias and reference materials to get some background information and develop some ideas for potential topics and keywords. These resources provide generally accepted knowledge about your topic and can help you gain a foundational understanding of it. As you develop your research topic, keep a list of keywords to use when searching databases. Try searching some of the reference resources listed below:
The following databases provide overview pages and arguments showing pros/cons of controversial and/or complex issues:
In-depth reporting on current controversial issues, with an introductory overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources.
The following databases are interdisciplinary and cover a wide range of topics while still providing you the advanced search features of searching within a research database:
The following databases will cover social work and social issues:
Millions of article citations, some with links to the complete article. To find complete articles, check the box for "Linked Full-Text" under Limit Results on the search page. Covers psychology and related disciplines including psychiatry, social work, pharmacology, medicine, law, and education.
A comprehensive database covering information concerning topics in emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry & psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational & experimental methods. This is the world's largest full text psychology database offering full text coverage for nearly 400 journals.
To search within the e-books available through Forsyth Library, use the following steps:
You might also want to search within some of the e-book research databases because the search engine within the database allows you to search at a more detailed level (within chapter titles, etc.). Explore the e-book databases listed below:
Visit the guide below for more information, discipline specific databases for e-books, free and open access e-book databases, and instructions for using the Ebsco and ProQuest ebooks platforms.
To search within the books physically located in Forsyth Library, use the following steps: