Research Guides: Research: Getting Started: Resources for Choosing a Topic

Choosing a Topic: Websites

See these web sites for lists of popular or current topics in the news for potential paper topics.

ProCon.org
Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
United Nations: Global Issues Overview While the UN's main mission is conflict resolution and peacekeeping, it is also engaged in a wide array of activities to improve people’s lives around the world. An overview of some of these issues in depth, and links to other resources where you can get additional information.

Choosing a Topic: Library Databases

Browse these library databases for lists of popular or current topics in the news for potential paper topics.

Academic OneFile (Gale) This link opens in a new window See a list of top searches, browse by discipline, or use the Topic Finder.
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CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
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Look for the Browse Topics drop down menu in the top header.
Explora (BadgerLink) This link opens in a new window Reliable information on 1000s of topics, with a wide range of subjects like: art & music, literature, language arts, geography, history, social studies, world cultures & languages, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health & sports.
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Health and Wellness (Gale) This link opens in a new window This database provides access to medical, statistical, and health-related information from reference books, magazines, journals, newspapers, pamphlets and streaming videos. Keywords: Medication, allied health, surgical, nursing, medicine, alternative health, drugs
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Newsbank (Access World News Research Collection) This link opens in a new window
Research diverse perspectives, topics and trends that align with areas of study such as Business, Health, Criminal Justice, Science, Humanities, Political Science and more. Features reliable, credible information from a wide variety of international, national and local news sources. Coverage from the 1980s to current, updated daily. Includes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Hint: look at the categories under "suggested topics" and "hot topics" in the Quick Links box, for ideas on choosing a topic for research papers.
Opposing Viewpoints (Gale In Context) This link opens in a new window One-stop source for information on social issues. Provides current event topics and the facts as well as the arguments of each topic's proponents and detractors.
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Points of View Reference Source (Badgerlink) This link opens in a new window
Resources presenting multiple sides of an issue to help assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues, and develop analytical thinking skills. For high school and adult learners.
Today's Science This link opens in a new window
Click on the Topic Index button at the top for a list of topics