MCCC Library Guides: ENGL 254-Advanced Composition / Couch: Overview

Research Strategy

Finding, evaluating and citing sources for your paper is a process that takes time and effort to yield good results

To give proper credit for quotes, paraphrases, ideas and information from your sources
To avoid plagiarism

Issues (Reports) Databases
- Find overview and background information
- Identify or develop your topic
MCCC Article Databases
- Find peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles
- Find magazine & newspaper articles
- Obtain more current information and research
MCCC Reference Databases
- Handbooks, dictionaries, and encyclopedias
- Get overviews, definitions, historical perspective, & statistics
- Find related terms and keywords
A-Z Databases Webpage
- Choose additional databases useful for specific topics
MCCC Library Homepage Search
- Search multiple databases combined
- Find e-books
Other Internet Sources
- Update and expand your information
- Consult your instructor or a librarian or use recommendations from reliable sources
- Evaluate sources for Authority, Relevance, Currency

To find, read, review and check your sources later
- Use at least two methods
Cite your sources to give proper credit for quotes, paraphrases, ideas and information from your sources and to avoid plagiarism

Points of View Reference Center (EBSCO, via MeL) This link opens in a new window
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Explore multiple sides of current issues of high interest. Find selected points-of-view articles, magazine, newspaper, and journal articles, primary source documents and more. A good place to pick a topic for an assignment and get started.
- Points of View Reference Center -- Tutorial (from EBSCO)
- How to Create and Manage a MyEBSCO Account (from EBSCO)
Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context (Gale, via MeL) This link opens in a new window
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Contextual information and opinions on hundreds of today's hottest social issues. Includes updated viewpoints, topic overviews, full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites.
CQ Researcher (Sage) This link opens in a new window
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In-depth reports on major issues of current interest. Articles include overview, historical background, pro/con points of view, resources for additional research, and more. A good starting point to choose a topic for your assignment.
- How to Use CQ Researcher Features - Search, Browse, Print, Save (from CQ Press)
- CQ Researcher - How to Cite (from CQ Press)

MCCC Library Site
MCCC's library page; find print & electronic resources, library guides and more.

Academic Search Complete (EBSCO, via MeL) This link opens in a new window
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Find magazine, newspaper, and scholarly journal (peer-reviewed) articles on a wide variety of topics and subjects. Covers most disciplines (English, History, Political Science, Technology, etc.).
ProQuest Central (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
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Find news, magazine, and scholarly journal articles; also dissertations, reports and more across all major subject areas, including business, health & medical, social sciences, arts & humanities, education, science, technology, and religion.
- ProQuest Platform Basic Search Guide (from ProQuest, PDF)
JSTOR (ITHAKA) This link opens in a new window
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Find scholarly articles and books from many disciplines such as language & literature, history, art & art history, political science, sociology and more. Extensive coverage of all earlier years of publication but usually lacks the most recent 4 or 5 years of journal articles.
See the How to Use JSTOR (for Students) guide.
NewsBank (Newsbank) This link opens in a new window
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Find articles from Monroe News, The Blade and the Detroit News and hundreds of other newspapers. Also TV news transcripts and texts of news magazines.