Pro/con viewpoint essays and topic overviews on hot social issues. Link to articles, reference entries, and primary sources supporting each argument.
In-depth coverage of significant current issues. Reports are written by experienced journalists and are professionally fact-checked. Thorough overview of topics with links to more resources. Change Quick filters to "Content available to me."
Before brainstorming topics, clarify:
Choose a subject area that genuinely interests you. Ask yourself:
Use Library Learning Hub resource to get a feel for what information is available on the area that interests you:
A broad topic like “presidents" is too vague. Use the Who-What-When-Where-Why-How method to refine it and make it more manageable:
Example: Instead of “presidents,” try “How presidential economic policies have affected Montana since 2008?"
If it’s too hard to find sources or explain the topic in one sentence, it might be too broad or too narrow. Ask yourself:
Turn your topic into a question to guide your research. For example:
A quick conversation can help focus your work so share your topic or question with:
Be open to refining your topic as you dive deeper into research. It’s normal for your focus to shift slightly.