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SOC 121 Introduction to Sociology: Finding Topic Ideas

This guide helps students use the resources of the Edison Library for their Sociology research paper.

Finding a Topic

Click any one of these databases to discover a large number of social issues that you can use for the topic of your research paper.

SIRS Researcher

SIRS Researcher
Contains over 300 topics, with links to articles, graphics, and websites about each topic. Provides easy access to a topic overview, pro/con articles, timeline, global impact articles, and statistics for each topic.

Step by step PDF on using Sirs Researcher
Step-by step directions

Facts on File

Facts on File - Issues & Controversies This link opens in a new window
Contains over 500 topics. Each topic essay provides background information, images, a complete bibliography, contact information, and extensive links to related articles. To view the complete list of topics, click "Issues & Controversies" and then the issues will be listed by subject.

Step by step PDF on using Facts on File Issues and Controversies
Step-by-step directions to using Facts on File: Issues & Controversies

Opposing Viewpoints

Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Contains over 300 topics, with links to articles, statistics, videos, audio, images, and websites about that topic. After you click a topic, a list of relevant articles/resources will be displayed. Click on the Title to display the article, and then scroll to the end of the article to get your MLA citation.

Step by step PDF on using Opposing Viewpoints
Step-by-step directions

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