CRE101 (McCage)  

Are you struggling to find a current hot topic for your research paper?  Are you bored with your topic even before you start?  One of the most important steps for writing a good paper is to choose a topic that really interests you, since you may spend quite some time on the paper.  Be sure to select a topic that is not too broad or too narrow in focus, but has enough information for you to write a paper.  For example:

The following books in the SCC Library contain information on selecting a topic and doing research.  They are located behind the Information Desk.

Gaining an overview is an important first step in the research process.  When beginning library research, it is valuable to find resources that provide a broad overview of a given topic.  Starting with a general reference source or specialized encyclopedia helps provide the background you need to focus and define the topic.  You can click on the link to Encyclopedias on the SCC Library's website; or consult some of the sources listed below.