Library activity worksheet
The Library Activity worksheet linked below can be completed by following the steps on the tabs above. Once completed, submit it to your instructor.
- WR 121 Library Activity and Source AnalysisMake a copy and rename it to save in your Google Drive. Then complete the worksheet.
Explore!
Policy & research institutes
Policy and research institutes conduct and publish credible research, often including polls, and advocacy on social, political, cultural or economic issues. While most policy and research institutes are non-profit organizations, some have a political or ideological slant.
- Brookings InstituteThe Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC.
- Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceTheir mission is to advance the cause of peace through analysis and development of fresh policy ideas and direct engagement and collaboration with decision makers in government, business, and civil society.
- Cato InstituteThe Cato Institute is a public policy research organization dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.
- Center for American ProgessThe Center for American Progress is an independent, progressive, nonpartisan policy institute dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans.
- Council on Foreign RelationsThe Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
- Gallup PollCurrent polls and research on a wide variety of topics. They often track polling responses over time, so you can see shifts in public opinion.
- Heritage FoundationThe Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies.
- Kaiser Family FoundationKaiser is a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy.
- Pew Research CenterPew Research Center is an independent center that conducts polls and studies.
Step 1: Get ready!
First, get to know your topic.
Read about the "topic finder" on the right and watch the video below on "Turning your interest into a research question" (also below) to learn why getting to know your topic is a great way to start your research.
In order to explore what others have written and understand about your topic, start by searching a broad concept related to your topic.
For example, if you're writing about the experience of returning home from a military tour of duty, search "military life" or "military reintegration." If you're writing about juggling college, work and home-life, search on the phrase "time management" if that resonates with your interests. The trick is to search on concepts or ideas that describe the life experience you're writing about.
Background sources like encyclopedias, news articles, and summary reports are good for finding out who is talking about your topic (psychologists? educators?) and an overview of what they think is important.
1. Search Encyclopedias for Background Research, the "Topic Search" in Academic Onefile or look for a report in CQ Researcher to find at least one article that you are interested in reading.
2. As you read the article or report, look for new terms that describe your topic and make note of them as potential search terms.
Get to know your topic - search below!
- Encyclopedias for Background Research This link opens in a new windowA selection of online encyclopedias that provides general overviews of topics across many subjects. Start here to get working definitions of key concepts and a big picture view of your topic.
- Academic OneFile (Gale) This link opens in a new windowAcademic OneFile is a starting point for peer-reviewed, full-text articles from the world's leading journals and reference sources. Covering the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects, it contains millions of articles available in full-text. Includes full-text New York Times content from 1995 to present.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowReports on current social topics. Search on a key concept or main idea related to your topic.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowProvides online versions of 500 published reference works, including general and specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias. Try the Concept Map to search for terms and topics that are interconnected and displayed in a visual form.
Turning an Interest into a Research Question
In this video, you’ll learn how to turn something you find interesting into a researchable question for a college research project.
Topic Search - Academic OneFile
Look for the option to use a "Topic Finder" on the right-hand side of a results list in Academic OneFile. It's a great option for visually browsing aspects of an issue and viewing articles that address sub-topics.