Primo: Start Your Search & Sign In Here!
Finding Articles that Raise Issues
Try opinion & news articles in publications like
Reason, and
Browse these "front pages" to find a good issue to research, or to find different views on your issue! Be aware that each publication has a certain worldview or political identity. Also Google your topic plus the name of a publication to see what they have on it. If you find articles behind a paywall, or want to search our system, see this guide to newspapers and magazines in the online library collection.
For Christian perspectives and issues, try these:
The Gospel Coalition, and
For education issues, try the
James G. Martin Center for Educational Renewal,
Chalkboard Review, and the
Chronicle of Higher Education.
Look at ideas & research from influential Think Tanks, advocacy groups, churches/denominations, universities, museums, and other non-profits. Here is our library page on think tanks & policy organizations. Note that each one of these will have a certain ideology and certain goals. Look for sixteen indicators of bias.
For ethical and family-related issues, try:
US Council of Catholic Bishops
Or these influential think tanks:
Manhattan Institute (Conservative) and City Journal
AEI --see "Centers" (Conservative or libertarian)
Cato (Libertarian)
Pew Society (Non-partisan)
Brookings (Non-partisan or liberal)
Hoover Institution (Conservative or libertarian)
Then, when you understand the key terminology and debatable issues related to your topic:
1. Start with our Primo search, which looks for everything: books, e-books, articles, videos, and reference (encyclopedias & dictionaries).
2. Go to our individual databases (sign in to Primo first; see recommended ones linked on this page or select ones specific to your topic here)
3. Search Google Scholar & credible internet sources (.gov, .edu, open access research collections, major publications)
4. Search World Cat, Google Books, or Amazon to see all the books that are out there on your topic
5. Use Interlibrary Loan to request that we get you any books or articles you came across that we don't have (you don't need to buy sources!)
6. If you're stuck or need more background knowledge, look up your topic in Google. Try to grasp the basic issues, key terms, important events, influential literature, and major debates.
Need MLA Citation Help?
Which databases should I try for credible articles, definitions, and facts?
- Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window
A great place to start your research in! Every kind of article (scholarly, newspaper, magazine) in every subject. - Proquest Central This link opens in a new window
Another great place to start research; searches all the ProQuest databases & contains every kind of article and resource in every subject. - ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials This link opens in a new window
Scripture research (click on Scriptures in upper left) and other topics on Christianity & religion.
- CredoReference This link opens in a new window
Look up definitions and facts quickly in a collection of encyclopedias and reference works. - Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
The world's most extensive dictionary, including word history.
- Stanford Encylopedia of PhilosophyAn open-source (free) source that is great for defining philosophical concepts.
- Internet Encyclopedia of PhilosophyAcademic source for quick definitions of philosophical concepts like types of logical fallacies, and much more.
How do I get books and e-books?
- Search Our Book & E-Book Collection in PrimoNarrow your search to "Books" or "Held by library in print" (click "Hold Request" if you are distance). Or narrow to "Ebooks" or "Full Access Online."
- Use Our Speedy Interlibrary Loan ServiceNever pay for a source when we can get it for you! In Primo, click on "Get it" or "Hold Request" or "Request PDF" or "Still Can't Find What You Need?"
Learn More With Brief Videos
The librarians have made many short videos, which are posted on our YouTube channel, that explain the best ways to use our tools.
Find Sources on the Web: LibKey Extension
- Download LibKey NomadLibKey will show you one-click article access from titles & citations on the internet to sources in our library.
- Video on Installing LibKeyRegent's video on how to use LibKey to get instant links to sources you come across on the web that we own.
Primary Sources (Historical & Literary Documents)
- Library of Congress Primary SourcesVast resources for research.
- Bible Translations Side-By-SideCompare translations on key verses.
- Summa Theologiae by Thomas AquinasClassic commentary on moral & theological topics from the influential medieval scholar.
- Project GutenbergFree full texts of classic literature and old books.
- Southern Historical Collection (UNC)One of many free historical archives on the web.
- Yale Law Avalon ProjectDocuments in legal history. Great resource!
- Cornell Legal Information InstituteText of laws & supreme court decisions.
- The Internet ArchiveVast collection of books & other media in an online "library" you can check out for free.
Foundational Scripture: Pursuing Wisdom
7 Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. (Proverbs 4)
Chat with a Librarian
Articles That Show Different Sides of an Issue
- Pro-Con Articles Collected by BritannicaA wonderful free resource collecting basic articles on different sides of current issues.
- CQ Researcher Plus Archive This link opens in a new window
Try this great resource for finding an issue to write about, pro-con articles, and background information.
- US Council of Catholic Bishops Issue StatementsEthical and religious perspectives on issues.
Where can I find newspaper & magazine articles?
- Newspapers & Magazines GuideThe full guide to where to find newspaper & magazine articles in Regent's online collection.
- FactivaWant to read the newspaper? Browse current front pages & articles from Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, & more.
- Nexis Uni This link opens in a new window
Some of the best full coverage of current newspapers and magazines, e.g. The Atlantic. - Proquest Central This link opens in a new window
Vast database with our biggest collection of newspapers and magazines.
- Newspaper Article FinderA tool in the Primo system for finding newspaper articles. Look for the tab at the top of Primo search.
- Magazines & Newspapers by Publication TitleSee if we have the publication in our collection, for which dates, & in which databases.
- U.S. Major Dailies This link opens in a new window
Coverage to the present of five major newspapers: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Chicago Tribune - Science | AAAS formerly Science Magazine This link opens in a new window
Magazine founded by Thomas Edison.
Can I use Google & Google Scholar? Yes!
- Google ScholarThis powerful search tool will bring up scholarly sources and actually tell you if our library has them! To link your Google Scholar to our library, go to the drop-down menu, then Settings, then Library Links, then search for Regent Library.
- GoogleYou can find background information or basic terminology on your topic through Google, as well as press articles, think tanks, open access sources, and government sources. Remember to use discernment & that a lot of websites are biased, promoting something, or lack credibility.
- Google BooksThis tool gives previews of book tables of contents & sometimes introductions or chapters.
- WorldCat.orgThis free version of World Cat can tell you which books are in libraries near where you live.
