First-Year Composition
- Start Here
- Identify Your Topic
- Develop Your Research Question
- Find Background Information
- Use Search Strategies
- Find Articles and Information on Library Research Databases
- Evaluate What You Find
- Cite Your Sources
- Research and Database Tutorials
All Library Research Databases
For some topics, a subject-specific database may be more useful, especially if your topic is very focused on one field of study or is very technical or specific:
There are hundreds of additional library research databases:
- Use the alphabetical list or search bar if you know the name of the database.
- Use the "All subjects" and/or "All database types" dropdown menus if you want to limit the databases displayed.
- Use the search bar if you do not know the name of the database but know the subject or a familiar keyword.
Step Five
FIND ARTICLES AND INFORMATION ON LIBRARY RESEARCH DATABASES
You can combine Boolean operators with the keywords you gathered while finding background information to find materials on your topic. If the item is available online, be sure to copy the permalink URL to the item record, create a citation, and download your article. If the item is a physical book or journal, note the location information (call number and specific ASU library) so you can find it or request an item pick-up. Once you have your article or book, you can find additional sources by looking at the works cited page or bibliography.
You will find different resources in different databases: the database you choose will depend on your chose research topic. Also, depending on the information you need, you may use more than one database during your research process. General databases are good starting places for research, since they cover a broad range of topics from many different perspectives. Disciplinary databases are good for finding more specific information that often relate to the specific departments and majors on campus, such as psychology, music, and engineering. They are generally used in the middle or end of your research, as your topic narrows.
ASU Library One Search
You can use Library One Search to find most of ASU Library's books, ebooks, open-access resources, newspaper articles, magazine articles, scholarly journal articles, and more – with just one search!
Google Scholar
If you are not finding appropriate articles from the databases above, try Google Scholar. It is an index to scholarly literature, books and journals, from all subject fields. ASU Library's link to Google Scholar supplies links to the online collections, allowing you to skip paywalls and additional log-in steps.
Article Databases
These general databases are all good starting points for English Composition students.
- Academic Search Ultimate is a great starting place for any topic. It covers all subject areas, has full-text options, and includes articles from popular magazines and scholarly journals. Depending on your topic, you may be able to find everything you need in Academic Search Ultimate.
- Opposing Viewpoints provides clearly identified pro and con sources for each topic. You can browse the most popular topics on the homepage, or search for other topics by keywords. Opposing Viewpoints has relevant information from both academic and popular sources, but many popular sources are based on opinions rather than facts, so you should also visit other databases for information on your topic.
- CQ Researcher is an excellent source for comprehensive, balanced, unbiased overviews of current issues in the news. The information you find there is meant to educate rather than influence researchers. The link takes you to the CQ Library; from there, select CQ Researcher.
- Access World News offers newspaper coverage from around the US and around the world (and is easier to use than NexisUni).
- Arizona Republic is our local newspaper and has articles from 1999 to the present available. It can be harder to find local information than national information, so contact Ask a Librarian if you need help.
- Alt-PressWatch is a full-text database of selected independent newspapers, magazines, and journals of the alternative press that provides an alternative to mainstream media perspectives on local, national, and international issues.
- Ethnic NewsWatch brings full-text coverage of ethnic and minority presses from around the United States, providing viewpoints and resources you may not find anywhere else!