Accounts
English 300/312--- Vielbig
Course Specific Resources
Library Instruction Feedback (for all sessions)
3 Research Steps to a Successful Paper
- Explore and pick a topic
2. Learn the basics of your topic: Who, what, when, where, why. You should be able to talk for a minute,
without repeating yourself, on your possible topic.
TIP (this is also discussed in your class syllabus): When you participate in research or scholarship, you
are entering into an ongoing conversation; you have to listen or read about that conversation before
finding an interesting, relevant question. Many try to skip this step and end up frustrated. You wouldn't
want to go up to two strangers on the street and join their conversation before you knew what they were
talking about.
3. Find an interesting question--not too easy, not too fuzzy, not too many parts, not too impossible. Should
require analysis and thought.
STEP #1
Resources for Topic Exploration----Sample topics to explore (local, national or global importance.)
Opposing Viewpoints in Context
The premier online resource covering all sides of contemporary social issues.
CQ Researcher explores important issues ranging from social and teen issues to environment, health,
education and science and technology.
Points of View Reference Center
A full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of
a current issue.
ProCon.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nonpartisan public charity that provides well-sourced pro, con, and
related research on more than 50 controversial issues, from gun control and death penalty to illegal
immigration and alternative energy.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-- Opinion Columns
Public Agenda Online - Public debates on hot topics offering various views, pro and con. Click on the
Priorities tab at the top
Rand Corporation – a nonprofit institution that addresses the challenges facing the public and private sectors
around the world. Their website contains research and hot topics.
STEP #2 & #3
Background Resources for Topic
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Gale's Virtual Reference Library is a collection of electronic reference books in the areas of history, arts,
medicine, and science.
Provides access to a multitude of full text science-oriented content including science encyclopedias, reference
books, and periodicals.
You can search the catalog and limit your items to reference entries. On the left, select 'Refine My Entries',
then select 'more options', then select 'Reference Entries.'
A large collection of online encyclopedias, Encyclopedia.com provides reference entries from published
sources like Oxford University Press and Columbia Encyclopedia.
Wikipedia isn't evil if you're using it just to get acquainted with the basics of your topic, keywords, etc. Then
move on and find better sources to use and cite.
SHARE Your Potential Research Question
Research Databases--Once you have a potential question and focus
Multidisciplinary
Sustainability
Defined
“A dynamic process which enables all people to realize their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support systems” (U.K. Forum for the Future, 2006). (Taken from USP document on Sustainability definitions)
The Three Pillars of Sustainability
Also known as the “triple bottom line.” Three interrelated dimensions of sustainability: ecology, society, and economics.
The three are conceived of and labeled in various ways:
• Economy, equity, ecology
• Profit, people, planet
• Economic security, social justice, ecological health
• Economic well-being, social harmony, ecological integrity (Taken from USP Sustainability 101)
Possible sustainability key terms: emission, environment, environmental impact, carbon footprint, renewable, equity, recycling, sustainable development, material intensity, triple bottom line, ecological footprint, climate change, carbon offset. Dematerialization, Environmental full-cost accounting, social justice
Environmental: Environment Complete
Economic: EconLit, Business Source Premier
Social: SocIndex with Full Text
Civic Engagement
Quick Brainstorm Poll: Civic Engagement Poll
Definition: Civic engagement means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes. In addition, civic engagement encompasses actions wherein individuals participate in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community." Source
(Possible search terms: laws, legislation, policy, public policy, regulation, volunteer, community life, voting, social action, political participation, community involvement, fundraising, charities, advocacy, local government, state government, Federal government, reform)
Search in only Government resources online by adding site:.gov after your search term.
For example: voting laws site:.gov
Search for legislation on your topic at Congress.gov.
Public Administration Abstracts
Criminal Justice Periodicals Index
More Political Science and Government Databases
Intercultural Knowledge
Culture defined: "the way of life of a particular people, esp. as shown in their
ordinary behavior and habits, their attitudes toward each other, and their moral and
religious beliefs." (Cambridge Dictionary)
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence "is the understanding of one's own culture as well as cultures beyond one's own; the recognition of the cultural values and history, language, traditions,politics, arts, and social institutions of a group of people..." Taken from the USP Teaching Resources Website.
Keywords: values, history, arts, language--verbal/non-verbal, communication, rituals-- religious etc., institutions, symbols, (name of relevant cultural group). "cultural groups", "cultural factors", "cultural differences", political culture, politics, political science, ethnic, ethnic groups (whereas race is associated with differences in physical characteristics, ethnicity is associated with differences in culture), tradition, values, diversity,
Tip: as you research, consider: what different cultural groups are part of your discussion? How does their history factor into your topic? How might their traditions factor into your topic? How might their language factor into your topic? How might their social institutions factor into your topic?
Tip: filter by topic--scan the different culture related topics on left side of the catalog.
Tip: Try a general search for your sub-topic, simply scroll through your results, skim the abstracts, paying attention to any mention or allusion to any of the above questions/ points.
Tip: If using a specific database isn't bring up results, try going to the Search@UW advanced search. (try limiting to the last 5 years) Example.
Academic Honesty
Taken from the UWO Dean of students: